How To Rebuild Trust In The Workplace: 10-Step Guide

This article has everything you need to know about how to rebuild trust at work.

In any job, trust is a key component of collaboration. If this trust is eroded, productivity, communication, engagement and innovation can have a negative impact. Leaders play a key role in building an environment of trust in the workplace.

Fortunately, there are various ways you can rebuild trust at work if problems arise. Use the suggestions on this page to get everybody working together effectively again.

How To Rebuild Trust At Work:

1. Admitting that trust has been broken is the first step to rebuilding trust.

Hold a meeting with all team members and begin by stating the apparent: a breach of trust has occurred. This will create an environment of openness about the problem, allowing you to begin to rebuild trust.

If trust has been breached because someone violated confidentiality rules a couple of classified project, say something like: “We all know we’re here because our competitors found out about project X indirectly from someone on this team. We now have a trust issue in our team.

Make sure you take responsibility for your actions if you’re involved in a breach of trust. Admit that you made a mistake or disappointed someone on purpose.

For example, “I know it’s partly my fault that we messed up because I didn’t explain the importance of exercising discretion in all matters relating to this project.”

2. Make sure everyone seems to be on the same page in terms of rebuilding trust.

State that you want this for yourself, and ask the rest of the team to join you. Explain that you realize this will take time, but that you’re committed to restoring order.

For example, “I want to start building trust back today so we can yet again be the great, supportive team we were a week ago. In order to try this, I will need your help. “

Or say something like: “I accept full responsibility for my role in undermining the team’s trust, and I intend to start repairing it today.”

3. To regain trust, people need to feel heard.

Hold team meetings, one-on-one meetings, or focus groups to discuss the situation and listen to from everybody involved. The goal is to create a non-threatening environment where everybody can speak freely.

Begin one-on-one meetings by asking each team member to make at least one suggestion, such as how to build trust within the team.

In addition to face-to-face discussions, anonymous questionnaires can be used to make sure that everybody says what they need to say without fear of being judged.

4. Open communication makes everybody in the team have the same understanding.

If an absence of communication causes a loss of trust, start speaking more freely in the future. Make sure everybody on the team understands their position and the impact it has on the rest of the group.

Clear communication of responsibilities and expectations (1) helps hold everybody accountable for their actions and results, so that they’re less likely to accidentally undermine the trust within the company.

If there’s a request for absolute confidentiality a couple of project, “I just want to emphasize how important it is that we keep this project confidential.” This means not talking about it outside of work, or even with colleagues on other teams. “

Don’t be afraid to over communicate! This will help you avoid misunderstandings or miscommunications in the future.

5. Making real improvements can help you see the future with more optimism.

Demonstrate your commitment to rebuilding trust by taking concrete steps to improve the situation. Create new mechanisms to improve accountability, communication, feedback and anything you think needs improvement.

For example, if someone on the team feels that somebody else values ​​their work, they should set up a system that makes it clear who is responsible for what so that everybody gets the credit they deserve.

If someone is disappointed that they did not get the information they need in time to send it to the client, build a system that enables each person to get their own data rather than relying on someone else.

6. Look at your team’s values ​​and make a list of them.

If you think a worth is missing, add it and ensure the team is aware of it. Explain why you hold these beliefs and how they apply in the workplace.

For example, your values ​​might include accountability, honesty and openness. These are all great principles that help build trust in the workplace.

You can even identify that your priorities are data-driven action, quick results, and collaboration.

Commitment and empathy are also important core traits.

7. With clear feedback, everybody can hold one another accountable.

Determine with your team the best way to give one another feedback on the actions taken. This can occur during a team meeting, on a team bulletin board, or via group e-mail.

For example, you could make it a rule that each month, each team member must evaluate the work of another team member anonymously.

Try to get positive comments! Congratulating each other on a job well done accelerates the rebuilding of trust.

We recommend providing feedback in the form of a sandwich (2). Start with praise and then move on to constructive criticism. Then, while assuring the worker that you trust them, encourage them to make improvements.

8. Don’t hold grudges against others for their past actions.

Instead, watch how they try to improve their situation. This is particularly useful if you’re having trouble regaining trust with your team members. Instead of focusing on what the individual did wrong in the past, consider what they’re doing now.

For example, if John in sales violated trust by not communicating in a timely manner with a large customer, leading to a loss, consider how he compensates by doubling down on his efforts to call new prospects.

If, on the other hand, someone compliments someone else’s efforts, notice how she or he is now trying to compliment someone else.

9. Team building exercises can help rebuild basic trust.

Hire a team building trainer to come to your office and conduct sessions. You can even find interesting team building exercises and do them as a group.

Team building activities can be as easy as doing them in the office, or they can be done in a location aside from the workplace, such as a park or escape room.

Here is an example of a team building exercise involving strategic thinking: Divide the group into 10 equal groups and provide each group a list of 10 things to do. Tell them they’re stuck on a abandoned island with five things in their possession. When all the groups have made their choices, ask them to present their choices and explain why they made those choices.

10. Rebuilding trust takes time.

Be patient as people learn to trust one another after taking every possible step to improve the work environment. Continue to allow others to express their emotions so you can stay on top of progress, and you will ultimately reach your goal!

If someone else on the team is to blame for the breach of trust, you can set an example by stating that you’re willing to trust them again.

If you were the one who broke the trust, remember to forgive yourself too. This is the only way to learn and grow from your mistakes.

Thank you for reading this article on how to rebuild trust at work and I actually hope you take action on my suggestions.

I wish you good luck and that I hope that its content has been a good help to you.