If you are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, or if your job has always been performed from the comfort of your home office, you likely understand the importance of certain concepts like time management, dressing for the job even though you work from home, and accountability in meeting deadlines. But what about trust? As an employee, you trust that your managers are going to be upfront with you about the work they require and the deadlines that must be met. As a manager or employer of a small business workforce, you need to understand that trust is a key component of your position. Below are three ways in which you can build trust and foster a productive work culture.
1. Resist the Urge To Micromanage
According to the Five Behaviors model of team development authored by Patrick Lencioni, trust is a key component of team relationships. While this might seem like an obvious point, it isn’t always clear how trust affects everyday workplace behaviors. For example, when you manage a remote team, it can be tempting to check in — a lot. By not handholding your team through every step of a project, you are showing them that you trust that they are competent, intelligent adults who can get things done. Will your team trust you if you don’t trust them? Probably not. Avoid remote work burnout by role-modeling this behavior for your team.
2. Ensure Your Team’s Commitment to the Project
It might surprise a team leader to know that an employee’s commitment to a project could also stem from a lack of trust. Your disgruntled employees may doubt their role in the current project or their value to the company overall. When a team member feels undervalued, this discomfort can cause a breakdown of trust in both directions. Dissatisfied employees will not do their best work, and frustrated employers will question both their dedication to the project and their ability to take direction. This cycle, unfortunately, can lead to more micromanagement on the manager’s side and more burnout on the employee’s.
3. Encourage Communication and Collaboration
Working from home can be a lonely endeavor. If your team is used to the hustle and bustle of a Monday morning at the office only to be relegated to a corner of their kitchen 24/7, you are likely to have issues maintaining morale. Don’t let your exciting workplace culture fizzle out from lack of stimulation. Encourage your team to try new platforms that streamline remote work, or perhaps set up a weekly “coffee chat” with team members you used to see on a daily basis.
Trust is the foundation of any relationship, whether it is a friendship, a romance, or a business partnership. Let your team know that you trust them and value their work by letting them handle the small things and conveying a friendly, open-door policy regardless of where you are located in person. Get in touch with New Summit Leadership for more tips and advice on managing employees, leading teams with the Five Behaviors model, and building trust between yourself and your team.
