Trust: 3 Actions that Build Trust [VIDEO]

Last fall, I was on a flight to Houston, Texas and it got me thinking, “I’m stepping on a plane, and I’ve never met the pilot in my life. Did he have a good day or a bad day? Was he well trained? Did he pass with C’s or A’s? Is he struggling at home with something - a sick child or spouse? I don’t even know the mechanics who worked on this plane today.” And I was going to be flying at 35,000 ft at 500 mph. Why would I do that with someone I had never even met? It all has to do with trust. Trust is one of the foundational elements in organizational life. In fact, 55% of CEOs believe that trust is one of the greatest vulnerabilities they now have in their organizations. Interestingly, 46% of employees do not have high trust in those for whom they work. Here are three actions that will help you build trust in your life and leadership.

1. Never fudge the truth.

Leaders usually get caught fudging truth in small areas that turned big. For example, not telling the truth accurately regarding their credentials. Or adding or removing something from their resume. One small lie can erase years of trust.

2. Do what you promise.

When leaders do what they said they were going to do, people are more inclined to trust them. Follow through matters. When leaders don’t do what they promise, it creates cracks in trust, and people will start to question whether or not they are believable and trustworthy.

3. Pursue time with others.

Research has shown that when people spend time in proximity to one another, trust goes up. And when there is time of separation, trust starts to decline. A high level of relationship equals a high level of trust. A high amount of interaction and time together will only build the trust on your team.

Comment below with what you have found builds trust and breaks trust! Contact us to learn how our experienced coaches can assist you in building trust in your organization.

Jay Desko is the CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.