Expert Insight

4 ways to create an environment of trust for your team

Breakthrough leadership starts with trust. Learn how to create a team environment in which trust thrives — and unlock the full potential of your employees.

Scenario: I need to gain trust and credibility. What can I do to create a productive and efficient working environment?

Here are four leadership moves to successfully tackle the scenario:

1. Write down the traits of a trustworthy leader.

Reflecting on these qualities will help you motivate your employees, gain trust, and foster a successful environment.
 

  • How would you describe a trusted leader? Does this accurately portray a reliable leader?
  • Do your employees trust, like, and respect you? 
  • Is taking on more challenging responsibilities part of being a leader?
  • Can you let your guard down? Are you okay with not being perfect when you are in charge?

2. Acknowledge what you don’t know.

As you advance in your career and take on more responsibility, tasks become more complicated. This requires you to move beyond technical knowledge and skills. To be successful, you must be able to think strategically, navigate through uncertainty, communicate and collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, and motivate others.
 

  • What changes do you need to make to your standards for judging how reliable something is? Do they depend on how complicated the situation is and what role you have?
  • Can you stop doing things the same way you always have and put your trust in fresh ideas from your team? Can you open your mind to more options? Are you able to take in, combine, and introduce new concepts on a large scale?
  • Are there elements such as identity, gender, race, and other societal messages that you should consider?

3. Cultivate a team environment of trust.

Trust is not just about making people feel comfortable. It's about building a secure environment where your team can come together and work through difficult situations.
 

  • How can you make sure your team succeeds beyond just the day-to-day?
  • Can your team express their ideas and opinions without fear of judgement or criticism? If not, why?
  • What steps can you take to make sure your team members feel safe when you're not around?
  • How can you create a workplace of respect, trust, and collaboration for your team to achieve its goals?

4. Lead with authenticity.

Having courage and being true to yourself is important for inspiring and motivating your team members to reach their highest potential.
 

  • Do you live up to your own standards?
  • Are you aware of your own strengths and values? How do they align with your leadership style? 
  • How can you cultivate an environment that encourages staff to feel empowered to have difficult conversations with each other?
  • Are you inspiring your team to be innovative and do their best work?

Advisory Board Fellowship

As the healthcare industry grows more complex, organizations need leaders who can leverage their expertise and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Advisory Board Fellowship is an immersive leadership program where leaders are challenged and supported by a diverse group of industry peers, world-class faculty, and executive coaches. Participants learn about advancing critical priorities and develop the ability to make the difficult decisions necessary to fulfill their organizational purpose.


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AFTER YOU READ THIS
  • You’ll reflect on the traits of a reliable leader to foster a successful environment.
  • You’ll acknowledge what you don't know and be open to new ideas and perspectives.
  • You’ll be able to take steps to build a culture of trust.

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