10 Surefire Ways to Kill Employee Trust

Some managers and supervisors unwittingly behave in ways that make them seem untrustworthy in the eyes of their employees.

Trust is essential. It is difficult to acquire and once it is lost it’s even harder to regain. The best leaders create a culture of trust by freely sharing information and regularly asking for feedback and input from their employees. Most importantly, highly effective leaders live their values and model the behavior they want to see in their people. Managers don’t always realize that seemingly small things like being late for meetings has a big impact on employee perception.

10 Surefire Ways to Kill Employee Trust

1. Say one thing and do another.
If you don’t think your employees aren’t watching every move you make and every word you utter — think a gain. Actions speak louder than words.
2.Talk more than listen.
It’s no coincidence that the most ineffective managers are lousy listeners.
3. Not acting on employee suggestions.
When you ask for ideas and suggestions for improving your business but don’t acknowledge their value, it won’t be long before your employees keep those great ideas to themselves.
4. Poor time management.
Some managers confuse being overbooked and crazy-busy with being effective. If you aren’t spending at least 50% of your time working with your employees, you need to take a look at your priorities.
5. Being moody.
Employees look for consistency in their leaders. Being in high spirits one day and in the dumps the next make your employees uneasy.
6. Not walking the talk.
When you opt to do the most expedient thing (even occasionally) instead of the right thing in your dealings with customers and other departments your employees will follow your lead.
7. Being late.
Expecting others to be on time and then showing up late is disrespectful. If “mutual respect” is a core value, be a good example by arriving at meetings a few minutes early and ending meetings on time.
8. Not being “present.”
When you are meeting with employees one-to-one make sure that your mind isn’t some place else. When you look distracted you are telling that employee, “I have other things on my mind that are more important than spending time with you.”
9. Breaking appointments.
Believe it or not, most of your employees look forward to regular conversations with you. Hold one-to-one meeting times with your employees sacred.
10. Only talking about business.
The best managers spend a few minutes a day socializing with their their employees. If you asked them what individual employees do in their free time, the ages of their kids and the name of their significant other, they could tell you in a heartbeat.

The best way that I know to build trust is to do two basic things:
> Follow the Golden Rule: Treat others the same way you would like to be treated.
> When making decisions do what you believe in your heart is the “right thing.”

This week let your core values guide your behavior.