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Successful businesses are built on the backs of workers who believe in what they’re doing and trust the folks they’re working for. That’s because those employees are engaged. Countless studies show engaged employees not only are more productive, but they’re also less likely to switch jobs.
How much do your employees trust you? If the answer is some variation of “probably not enough,” consider the following nine tips to strengthen the bond:
1. Be transparent
Executives and managers certainly need to keep some information under wraps — and employees get that. But your staff wants as much transparency as possible. It’s in your interest to cue them in to what’s going on regularly.
2. Embrace the Golden Rule
We’ve heard it ad nauseam, but it bears repeating: Treat others as you’d like to be treated. Let your words and actions prove your commitment to them. Support them, recognize them, and listen to their feedback. Remember, respect goes two ways.
3. Get to know your staff
You spend so much time with your staff, and they spend so much time with you. Don’t act like you’re strangers. Get to know your employees on a personal level, with respect to natural boundaries. Personal connections can help improve engagement.
4. Work hard
Nobody wants the boss who leans back in their chair with their feet on their desk while everyone else toils away. Work harder than your employees, and they’ll be more comfortable following you.
5. Be great at what you do
It’s one thing to work hard. It’s another thing to deliver results. Great leaders understand their strengths, and they also know their weaknesses. They wisely choose to invest a vast majority of their energies on their strongest areas, and to earn your employees’ trust, so should you.
6. Don’t gossip
Yes, we’re all humans, and it can be tempting to let our inner elementary school selves rear their ugly heads every now and again. Be sure the unfair negative thoughts in your head are never verbalized, written down, or expressed digitally.
7. Be consistent
Nobody wants to hear one thing one minute and another thing the next. Words have meaning. Just as you probably wouldn’t trust a friend of yours who consistently misled you, your employees won’t trust you if you don’t follow through on your word. So choose your words carefully, and mean what you say.
8. Talk less
There’s a reason you’re the boss: you’re smart, and you’re great at what you do. But true intelligence stems from the knowledge that we ourselves are not the be-all and end-all. Talk less and listen more. Your staff has wonderful ideas. You can help turn them into reality.
9. Take responsibility for failure
You’re in charge. While instinct might tell you it’s easy to blame a failure on a member of your team who dropped the ball, never forget you’re running the show. Your staff will respect you when you own up to shortcomings.
In order to take your company to the next level, it’s imperative to hold the trust of your staff. When you make a conscious effort to change your leadership qualities, your employees will grow to trust you that much more. Your business will be stronger.