Building trust at the workplace

This post came out from The Straits Times (30 January 2016)
Title - Building trust at the workplace - Companies should be mindful of how they treat their employees

Some pointers that I've got are:
1. Engage employees more
2. Treat staff with respect
3. Walk the talk

On Engage employees more

• One of the best ways for building trust within a business is to listen more to employees, especially on areas where employees' voices would be highly credible, for example, workplace conditions and business practices.
• By engaging employees on these topics, they will feel that the management is aware of their concerns and actively seeking to improve the work environment. It shows that management cares about and appreciates employees beyond business key performance indicators. 
• Beyond work, get to know employees as unique individuals.

On Treat staff with respect

• Trust is founded upon a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding. Hence, trust between employees and their supervisors would not be possible without a healthy level of respect between both parties.
• If the management is constantly looking to penalise employees for small faults, or blaming them when things go wrong, it gives employees the impression that they are not trusted. These employees will respond with distrust in return.
• See employees not as simply workers, opponents or worse, scapegoats. See them as team mates.

On Walk the talk

• Often, employees quickly lose trust in their bosses when verbal communication is inconsistent with corporate actions. 
• If a company wants to improve the workplace culture, putting it into the company's policies is much less effective than taking concrete action to reinforce those ideals in daily work. Employees are more likely to view an extended commitment to changing company culture as authentic.
• Reconcile your words and beliefs. Show sincerity and integrity through your actions. 

Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big