Transparency and Trustworthiness is an issue that should never be left out of the business agendas of companies big and small. The idea behind these two important topics is actually quite simple. A company should be able to be transparent in order for customers and employees to have a good impression of it. On the other hand, a company should also be able to maintain the trust of its employees. Here are some ways by which companies can be transparent and trustworthy:
o Create an environment where honesty is at the center of the activity. Honesty is essential in all aspects of the work place. Honest employees would be the most trustworthy ones. For instance, when making decision-making decisions, it is essential to always provide honest answers and realistic feedback. Employees who are honest and up-front with the responsibilities of their jobs are usually the best leaders because they can properly manage others' trust.
o Invest time in relationships. A good leader understands that building relationships is the key to developing trust among the people involved. When relationships are strong, it builds stronger ties between employees and between the company and its customers. Thus, leaders must spend time cultivating strong relationships with their employees.
o Provide security assurance. A company must be able to provide security assurance to its customers and employees. This security assurance is not only important in ensuring the safety of the organization's assets but it also acts as a form of trustworthiness. Therefore, if the company fails to provide sufficient security assurance to its clients and employees, then this could lead to the downfall of the company. In addition, failing to secure the assets of its customers and employees would mean loss of trust. Therefore, the goal of security assurance is to keep the customers and employees safe.
o Build emotional safety. It is essential to build trust among the people in order to encourage them to share their thoughts and feelings through decision-making and expressing themselves creatively. However, without emotional safety, it is very difficult for people to trust others and open themselves up to the risks that they may encounter in the workplace. Emotional safety is necessary if leaders want to encourage the other team members to follow the same behaviors and approach in their work.
o Be a customer-centric culture. If you want your employees to be trustworthy and have high levels of productivity, then your culture must be customer-centric. The culture you create should embody the values of trust, transparency, and respect so that you can successfully foster a sense of teamwork in your employees. The right people in the right places at the right times - that is how you create a customer-centric culture.
o Be a person-centered culture. As the company grows, your work environment would change from an individual-oriented one to a customer-oriented one. It is important for your employees to understand that they are part of a group instead of an individual. As such, the focus on your employee's core values should be on being a person-centric place where all are respected and appreciated.
o Manage time wisely. Leaders must make sure that they organize their work to have the maximum productivity possible. For this, they set time management rules and allocate employees to work harder. They also make sure that they prioritize their assignments so that they finish earlier than the usual or meet deadlines sooner than the usual.
o Ask questions. A great manager never avoids a question. Good leaders ask questions, clarify, and solve problems. In order to maintain a culture of trustworthiness and reliability, these leaders prioritize their actions and communicate to their employees the results of their actions.
o Communicate often. If you want to build a culture of trust and reliability, then you need to regularly communicate with your employees. Communication allows you to understand what is going on within your organization and give appropriate feedback. It also allows you to make changes in any processes if you find they are not working effectively. On the other hand, if employees feel like you are not communicating with them, then they will tend to distrust you and take their business elsewhere.
The bottom line is that leaders who build trust and credibility among their employees are able to improve employee engagement and increase their bottom line. These leaders take time to listen to their employees, address issues, and solve problems. They do this while they continue to invest time in building relationships with their staff. You can too!
