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BUSINESS OF
3. Don’t use truth as a weapon (overuse or misuse of the “truth” will
not win trust). Look at your motive when revealing information.
Are you betraying a confidence? What purpose will it serve to share
this “truth”?
4. Avoid passive/aggressive behavior (yikes!) You know who you are.
This behavior is definitely a trust killer!
5. Give credit (always!) Do not ever take credit for others’ work, ideas
or efforts. If you want to build a dynamic, effective group, identify
team members’ efforts and publicly praise them, frequently.
6. Set CLEAR expectations (be specific and realistic). The most
trusted and effective leaders set clear expectations for their team
and hold people accountable for results.
7. Communicate, communicate and communicate some more (lis-
ten!) It’s important to hear what your team is saying. Keep your
ear to the ground and hear the musings and rumblings as well. A
smart leader will address issues and dispel rumors openly, as well
as allow for two-way communication.
8. Honor others in their absence (don’t gossip!) Successful leaders
don’t gossip. If you are in a position of leadership, you have a re-
sponsibility to be honorable and address issues directly. A sure way
to lose respect along with trust is to gossip.
Assess yourself: The Speed of Trust online assessment will help
you to identify your credibility with others and offers a test on
whether you practice the 13 trust behaviors or their more common
counterfeits (www.speedoftrust.com).
The Trust Leader online leadership assessment is a starting point
to becoming a trusted leader (www.thetrustedleader.com).
HOW EMPLOYEES CAN BUILD TRUST
So, you come to work every day and hide behind your desk. You
are miserable, because the “practice/leader/boss” [you fill in the
blank] does not keep you informed! They are so secretive. You just
know something bad is about to go down. You plan to stay below
the radar and keep plugging along. You know who I’m talking about.
I’ve been there, too! Trust is a two-way street. As an employee, you
have responsibility in a low-trust relationship.
Following are eight trust-building ideas employees can utilize for
success:
1. Contribution (adding value to the team/company). Ask yourself:
Am I truly adding value to the organization? If not, what clarifying
questions, support, tools do I need to be successful? Once you have
the answer – ask for what you need!
2. Communicate with candor (tactfully/respectfully). Be cautious.
Too much candor can lead to termination, if you are not careful.
Adjust your style to your supervisor – start slowly and increase
speed, if well taken.
MEDICINE
3. Don’t tattle (no one likes a tattle tale!) This is not building trust;
it actually destroys camaraderie and trust. Check your motives –
if it violates policy or the law, you may not have a choice, but if
your co-worker shows up 10 minutes late, don’t run to your su-
pervisor!
4. Avoid passive/aggressive behavior (yikes!) Again, if there are issues
that are bothering you, address them immediately. Don’t be the
powder keg that explodes because there is no creamer left in the
kitchen. Truly, this behavior is definitely a trust killer with both
your co-workers and supervisor.
5. Give credit (always!) As with supervisors, you should never take
credit for others’ work, ideas, or efforts. Giving credit to fellow team
members for their work will help you build camaraderie with your
team members as well as earn you respect from your supervisor.
6. Deliver results (be specific and realistic). Set achievable expecta-
tions and deliver quality, on-time results. If you miss a deadline,
don’t give excuses! Apologize for not meeting the expectations and
figure out how you can meet the set objectives in the future. Re-
member, successful people make mistakes, but what differentiates
them from unsuccessful people is they have integrity, take respon-
sibility for their actions and make sure they figure out how to de-
liver in the future.
7. Communicate, communicate and communicate some more (lis-
ten!) It’s important to hear what others are saying (including your
co-workers and supervisor). If you need more information, ask. If
you have a question, ask. If you don’t understand the objective,
ask. Asking questions, the right questions, is critical to your future
success.
8. Honor others in their absence (don’t gossip!) This is so hard to do,
especially in a low-trust environment. But please resist the temp-
tation. I understand that your boss or co-worker may drive you
nuts, but see if there is a better way to relieve your frustration.
Maybe change your perspective and address the issue directly with
the person. It’s your first step in becoming a leader yourself and
making a real change.
Jill Koob is vice president-client services for Employer
Flexible, a BCMS Circle of Friends sponsor at the gold
level. For more information, visit www.employerflexi-
ble.com.
This information is provided on behalf of a valued BCMS Circle
of Friends sponsor at the gold level, but it is not an endorsement.
BCMS thanks its Circle of Friends sponsors; their donations help
keep down the cost of dues and allow BCMS to continue to provide
quality service to its members. The society continues its pledge to
you and only will involve itself in services and programs that benefit
you, the member, and your patients.
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