There is a key element that is the foundation of a happy and high-performing workforce but is often overlooked. Trust.

Trust is essential for creating a healthy work environment where employees feel secure, engaged, and driven to produce great results.

But don’t just take our word for it. Gallup research found that at highly trusted workplaces, employees are 50% more productive and outperform companies with low levels of trust by 186%. And this is shown in the bottom line, with statistics showing that companies that have high levels of trust outperform their competitors by 286% in shareholder returns.

The role of trust in a cohesive workforce

Renowned management consultant Patrick Lencioni singles out trust as being the cornerstone of a cohesive team, whether that is a small business unit or the entire workforce. Lencioni says that an absence of trust is the most severe dysfunction that a team can have.

As you can see in the models below, trust (or lack of it) has a massive impact on the performance of a team. It lays the foundation for team members to be authentic and willing to show vulnerability.

Once there is trust among the team, healthy conflict becomes possible, leading to improved collaboration and innovation.

The third behaviour in Lencioni’s model is commitment. This occurs when there is clarity and buy-in, leading to wholehearted commitment, and ultimately. higher productivity.

Once trust has been established, then peer-to-peer accountability becomes the norm. This results in everyone taking responsibility for their own work and actions – and calling out others who don’t meet team standards.

The final behaviour in a cohesive team is a focus on results. Cohesive team members in a high-trust working environment focus on the real goals of the team and organisation as a whole and want to work hard to deliver the best possible results for their employer.

So, how do you cultivate trust in your organisation?

It begins at the top. For a workplace to develop high levels of trust, it must start with the leadership team – in the way the leaders behave, interact and communicate with all members of the workforce. These actions need to make every employee feel secure, valued and respected.

How is this achieved?

• Leading by example
• Through clear, honest and open communication
• Empowering your employees
• Always being fair and consistent
• Recognising and celebrating employee contributions

The whole team has a role to play

It’s not only leaders who need to foster an environment of trust. Every team member in an organisation can help build a high-trust environment through respectful and authentic interactions.

This could include:

• Saying hello in the morning to everyone in the team
• Offering to assist a team member in preparing for a presentation or important meeting
• Listening to people without judgement or opinion
• Getting to know colleagues and their life outside of work
• Being a “cheerleader” for the team

Building trust is not a quick and easy task. It takes time to create an environment of belonging and connectedness, but the results are worth it.

Want to build a high-trust culture in your organisation?

The Common Goal Consulting team can help. We have worked with a number of companies – large and small – to put in place leadership strategies and work practices to help build a workplace culture that is underpinned by trust.

To find out more, call Director Nikki Jenkinson on 0472 545 584 or email projects@commongoalconsulting.com.au.