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Update nowWhen it comes to leadership, formal structures and hierarchies will only take you part of the way to inspiring, influencing, gaining commitment or even moving people to action.
To paint the full picture, we all know that strong relationships and fostering a positive reputation are just as important, and at the heart of those is trust.
Whilst no one sets out to be untrustworthy or undermine trust levels, it is possible to overlook or unconsciously chip away at trust with individuals and teams. This in turn has a detrimental effect on our ability to bring people together; positively influence; instigate change and foster adoption.
But how can you enhance and safeguard levels of trust? Drawing inspiration from thought leaders such as Julian Stodd, Liz Fossilien, and Amy Edmonson, here are some ideas that explore the different facets of trust and ways to strengthen them with individuals and teams…
The power of a person in authority asking for help, is often referred to as “vulnerability-based trust”. Research and anecdotal evidence demonstrates this behaviour has a positive impact on various aspects of teamwork, organisational culture, and employee engagement.
To practice vulnerability-based trust, getting comfortable with expressing your thoughts, feelings and concerns is crucial. Two things to try out:
Worthwhile watch: If you want to learn more about practicing (selective) vulnerability watch this short Ted Talk by Liz Fosslien: How to embrace emotions at work
Amy Edmondson’s well known work on psychological safety shows leaders who set an example by demonstrating vulnerability, actively seeking input from team members, and providing constructive feedback, help nurture a safe and open environment (crucial for building trust).
To practice this, focus on seeking advice instead of feedback. Here’s how:
Relevant read: If you are interested in understanding more about the science of asking for advice vs feedback read this HBR article: Why asking for help is more effective than asking for feedback
Oxytocin is often referred to as the “trust hormone” because it plays a role in building and maintaining social bonds and trust. It is released during positive social interactions. To create such interactions, this week: