On September 22, we have awarded the 150 Best Workplaces™ in Europe 2023. And while these companies vary in size, sector, approach, and perspective, they all have one thing in common: their people are Pioneers of Trust. People who do things differently, and who understand that culture is a major factor in an organization’s success. True pioneers who act with empathy and lead by example. But isn’t trust intangible? Are there actually pragmatic and effective ways to increase trust within an organization? There are. And it all begins in the hearts and minds of leadership.
Building the foundation
Becoming a Pioneer of Trust begins from within. And while everyone can be a Pioneer of Trust, it is the leaders of an organization that have the biggest impact in pathing the way. It is unconventional leaders that have confidence in themselves, which helps them effectively build stronger one-on-one relationships and cultivate interpersonal relationships in group settings by stepping outside of the ‘typical leader’ mold. They use creativity, flexibility, and new approaches to build a foundation of credibility, respect, and honesty. And from there, a culture of trust can grow organically – and yet intentionally – throughout the organization.
Effective and bold leadership is the trademark of Pioneers of Trust. And consistency is the key to ensuring impact. Every aspect of the company culture, from the core values to the development programs, and from the team outings to the innovation process, are opportunities to build and maintain trust. Every single interaction, every relationship, every initiative and process, can contribute to a culture of trust. And any area that is neglected can slowly chip away at that trust.
Paving the way
The highest ranking companies in Europe have unlocked the formula for both establishing and maintaining trust within their organizations. Leadership considers new and unique approaches to ensure they remain accountable, transparent, and available to an ever-evolving team of employees. They find creative ways to recognize and acknowledge their teams. And they provide consistency by ensuring all systems, processes, policies, and frameworks align with the objective of building and promoting trust within the organization. So that employees and customers alike that trust in every interaction.
These activities may look and feel different from one company to the next: one company builds trust through easy-to-use feedback and response systems. The other through ensuring that C-level leadership regularly interacts and connects with employees at every level of the organization. Again others empower their employees to take on responsibility and acknowledge competence based leadership in projects. Whatever it takes for employees to feel that their organization and its people are credible and trustworthy, the Pioneers of Trust are ready and willing to explore it until they find the right balance for their specific organization.
Let’s take this even a step further by empowering your people to be Pioneers of Trust themselves.
Everyone can be a Pioneer of Trust
Trust is the foundation of a successful workplace culture. When trust is present, employees feel more engaged, motivated, and willing to contribute their best. But how can leaders enable their employees to become Pioneers of Trust and embrace trust within their organizations?
It starts with you. With your focus, attention, and imagination. With your willingness to be vulnerable and empathetic. Your commitment to work at it every day, in both big and small ways. In major policies and minor interactions. In what you say and do.
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Lead by example: Effective leaders set the tone for trust within an organization. They lead with authenticity, transparency, and empathy. When employees see their leaders practicing trust, they are more likely to follow suit.
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Foster Open Communication: Encourage open and honest communication at all levels of the organization. Create channels for feedback, both formal and informal, where employees feel safe to express their opinions and ideas.
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Recognize and Reward Trustworthy Behavior: Acknowledge and reward employees who consistently demonstrate trustworthiness and integrity. Recognitions can range from simple verbal appreciation to more formal recognition programs.
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Empower Employees: Give employees the autonomy and responsibility to make decisions within their roles. Trust them to take ownership of their work and provide support when needed.
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Consistency in Values: Ensure that your organization's core values align with trust-building principles. Consistency in values across all aspects of the company reinforces a culture of trust.
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Embrace Diversity and Inclusion: Create an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, and different perspectives are valued. Inclusive workplaces tend to foster greater trust among employees.
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Give yourself time: It will all take time to develop a culture of trust in your organization. Give yourself and your employees the time to offer their opinions, consider their choices and process information. Trust isn’t created in a day. And true pioneers know that the only way to succeed is to keep trying.
Be sure to continuously reflect on your own behavior and that of your senior leadership. Do you walk the talk every day? Do you interact closely with your teams and demonstrate that you trust them? Do you act in a trustworthy manner, with empathy and understanding, at all times? Then, you’re well on your way. Next, with openness and humility, with honest and genuine social interaction and a healthy serving of tolerance and openness, you can explore ways to bring a truly unique flavor of trust to your organization. Launch initiatives your employees truly appreciate and stand behind. Create an atmosphere where diversity is celebrated and creativity is rewarded. Make your culture visible to your customers. Then, you will begin to establish yourself as a future Pioneer of Trust.
Feeling the impact
Our data shows that creating a culture of trust in your organization will certainly lead to happier, more engaged employees. They’ll feel more free to speak up, to dare, to innovate. They’ll work harder and with more enthusiasm. They’ll take fewer sick days and will be more focused at work. They’ll be eager to collaborate with their colleagues and creatively solve challenges. And they’ll be proud to work with your organization.
But we also see significant financial benefits from a culture of trust. A recent study we conducted in the Netherlands revealed that companies with a Great Place To Work Trust Index™ employee survey score above 90% in the categories ‘intention to stay’, ‘willingness to endorse the company to friends and family’ and ‘customer centricity’ also enjoy 17% higher revenue growth, 15% higher growth in employee numbers, and a whopping 75% greater number of new applicants per 100 employees, when compared to companies who score 70% or less on the Trust Index in these categories.
So, by implementing practices that create trust, leaders can pave the way for a culture of trust to flourish within their organizations. Trust is not only the key to happier, more engaged employees but also to significant financial benefits and long-term success. Remember, anyone can become a Pioneer of Trust with dedication, openness, and a commitment to continual improvement. Trust-building takes time, but the results are worth it. So, take that first step toward becoming a Pioneer of Trust in your organization and watch as your workplace culture transforms.
Learn more about building a culture of trust in your organization.
