Trust & Why it Matters in the Workplace

June 25, 2024

Trust is the foundation of a high-performing team. This has been proven by volumes of research, supported by thought leaders, and, at Clarus, learned over more than 20 years of experience working with organizations of all kinds.

Benefits of Trust in the Workplace

There are many benefits of establishing and maintaining trust in the workplace. A few key benefits are:

Increased efficiency and productivity
Better teamwork and collaboration
Enhanced ability for team members to ask for help and offer feedback

Kristie McCullough, Clarus Principal Consultant & COO, explains, “The presence of trust strengthens the ability of the team to engage in authentic conversations. This creates an environment where all team members can share their ideas or concerns, which strengthens innovation and decision-making.”

How to Build Trust in the Workplace

Building and maintaining trust in the workplace is an ongoing process. To prioritize trust, consider the following key steps:

Acknowledge trust is foundational in all relationships, including at work
Take time to build a common understanding among employees about the different “set points” we can have about trust (trust but verify, trust until you break it, trust must be earned)
Be as practical as possible in conversations about trust among the team (e.g. discuss examples of behaviors that can break trust/triggers for each person)

How Clarus Can Help

Clarus often draws on two proven models when helping teams build trust: Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team and Charles Feltman’s The Thin Book of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work. Using these models and other organizational development principles, Clarus designs and facilitates leadership and team development programs that meet teams where they are, create a safe environment for exploring trust, and unlock the potential of teams characterized by trust.

To learn more about Clarus, our services, and how we can help your organization, please contact us now.