10 Ways to Kill Employee Trust (without realizing it)

It’s the “little things” you do that make you appear untrustworthy.

Trust 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.
Actions speak louder than words.

2.Talk more than listen.
It’s no coincidence that the most effective (and well-loved) managers are also the best listeners.

3. Not following up 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. Too busy to be there.
Some managers confuse being overbooked and crazy-busy with being effective. If you aren’t spending at least 60% 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 wildly-happy one day and in the dumps the next makes 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 chronically late for meetings.
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. Being anywhere but 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.
Try your best not to cancel your regular one-to-one meeting times with your employees. Your employees look forward to having quality time with you.

10. Only talking about business.
The best managers spend a few minutes each day socializing with their employees. Remember — it’s all about the relationship.

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 (and your gut) is the “right thing.”

Make it a great week!