Your company’s growth and profitability can catapult to new levels and a lot of it has to do with how much your employees trust your leadership.
According to an article in The Harvard Business Review, employees who trust their leaders tend to be more productive. The article suggests that trust is linked to oxytocin levels in the brain, therefore, employees are happier and communicate more effectively with colleagues and management. This may have a connection to increased productivity and profits.
Points to ponder:
1) Transparency is key. Employees seek to be aware of what is real and true. Besides the need for job security and career advancement opportunities, employees want to be part of a workplace culture that puts a premium on delivering the truth. For example, employees want to know how management perceives the effectiveness of their work performance because it allows them to make decisions based on facts and not assumptions about how they want to navigate their company career.
2) Do as you say. Discussing company core values and expectations in monthly meetings is important and employees expect leaders to model those values—consistently.
3) Be vulnerable. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t have all of the answers and that you’re not perfect. Become comfortable with being uncomfortable so that you can build workplace relationships as you build the business. Be willing to share childhood family dynamic(s) that influenced your adult values.
4) Avoid micromanagement. This is key for building trust and developing strong workplace relationships. Also, less micromanaging means less stress for you and more accountability for your employees.
5) Understand how to be an effective listener. Sometimes the boldest thing a leader can do is listen and truly internalize the ideas/opinions of their staff.
6) Make employees feel appreciated and valued. Plan an annual retreat. Ask employees where they’d like to go and activities they want to do during the retreat. If it is successful, consider making it an annual event…it will be something for everyone to look forward to each year.
Bonus point: Authentic trust in work environments promote well-being and high morale. A lack of trust produces higher turnover and lower productivity.
Go out there and make it a great day !
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