Companies that foster a culture of transparency and trust clearly have a competitive advantage for sustainable success. Trust is one of the essential ingredients to build collaborative relationships, high performance teams and a winning culture. Without trust you can't have engaged relationships and without engaged relationships you won't be a successful leader, manager, sales person, or team member etc.
When people experience distrust at work, they describe their working environment as:
• Threatening
• Divisive
• Unproductive
• Tense
In contrast, when working in a trusting environment, people report the experience as:
• Fun
• Supportive
• Motivating
• Creative
• Comfortable
• Productive
The following are ten tips on how we can build the trust that is essential for great workplace relationships.
1. Clearly state what you are going to do and then do it!
2. Communicate often. Frequent, honest and open communication builds trust.
3. Trust is built moment to moment, one interaction at a time. Make good decisions.
4. Value enduring relationships more than short-term success.
5. Trust generates commitment and engagement; commitment fosters teamwork; and teamwork delivers results.
6. Always be honest! Tell the truth.
7. Communicate like an emotionally intelligent coach. Coach your team members and customers.
8. Demonstrate to people you care about them. When people know you care about their interests as much as your own they will trust you.
9. Always do the right thing. We trust those who model integrity.
10. Be transparent, authentic and vulnerable sharing your mistakes and faults.
Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist, executive coach and trusted advisor to senior leadership teams. He is the president of Working Resources, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm. For more information, please go to
