Posted by Shivali Anand
April 27, 2022 | 4-minute read (644 words)
Taking a new leadership role can be simultaneously thrilling and challenging. You may be ecstatic to take the reins in a position you've long pursued, but how deftly you manage the shift will significantly impact your career. You'll need a plan to succeed not only with your superiors, but also with your direct reports.
While effective leadership necessitates various abilities, the glue that holds them all together is trust. As a team leader, it's your responsibility to establish trust, as well as maintain it. We've curated a list of six important measures that new leaders can take to build and retain trust with their employees.
Ways to Build Trust in Workspace
1. First Impression is Crucial
People's first impressions are often the last ones in their minds. If you come in with all guns blazing, your team will likely continue to think of you accordingly. If you come across as an impersonal wet blanket on first encounter, your team will continue to think of you this way.
Your goal should be to create a positive first impression that sets the tone for the rest of the manager-employee relationship. First and foremost, avoid blowing your own trumpet at your initial introduction, as no one loves a bragger. The idea is to be approachable yet project a commanding presence that people respect.
2. Identify Shared Objectives
People are more prone to put their faith in others who share their same aspirations. Aim to find common ground with team members, such as a desire to provide outstanding customer service and advance the company's vision. Demonstrate your commitment to their objectives by showing how you will help achieve them. This shows that you're a team player and a leader with a human face, which encourages more debate and less confrontation.
3. Respect the Status Quo
Unless there is an emergency, avoid abruptly altering the team's status quo when you take on a new leadership position. Handovers should be as smooth as possible, with no abrupt changes, since this can damage confidence by making individuals feel powerless.
4. Pay Attention and Be Consistent
When you're a new leader, avoid forming opinions without first speaking with and listening to everyone. One-on-one conversations with team members allow individuals to open up, and it's vital to actively listen during these interactions to garner their thoughts and gain their confidence. Be clear and consistent in your words and actions when interacting with team members. This ensures that others start to trust you as a person of integrity rather than someone lacking conviction.
5. The Safety Net With a Win
A sense of apprehension and uncertainty accompanies all change. As a leader, you must ensure that your team sees you as a safety net. Team members who feel secure are more productive and loyal. After all, no one wants to work in an atmosphere where there is a lot of uncertainty. Early in your term, coordinate a few reasonably attainable wins to keep morale high. This will not only brighten the mood, but it will also encourage others to listen to you and increase their faith in you by demonstrating that you are on their side.
6. Work Hard and Don't Speak Ill of Your Coworkers
Under no circumstances should you criticize your predecessor or any of your co-workers in front of your new team. This may cause people to view you in the same negative manner. Gossip in the workplace, especially early in a new manager's tenure, may weaken the authority and destroy the trust that any team requires to perform efficiently.
Instead, set a good example by your behavior. Show, not tell, the team that you are a team player eager to share job responsibilities. You may want to go the additional mile to work hard during the early stages of your new position to demonstrate your dedication to the team's success.
