What is one thing organisational leaders can and should do to build trust between themselves and employees? What, for you, is the single golden rule of building leadership trust? And what can internal comms professionals do to help them do this – or do it better? (Or what have YOU been doing to help leaders build trust?)
Natalie Spencer
7mo
The biggest is a phrase I use in my head only, "don't be a @#$%." Observing a leader is the first step and speaking with staff on a genuine level is second. For example, a recent leader was killing meetings with their behavior and words/tone. They thought they were the life of the meeting. The staff felt the opposite. Even when told that their comments didn't land well for a variety of reasons, that leader went on to argue how I and the staff misinterpreted their words and actions and no change was going to happen. To compound the issue that particular leader did not follow through on their promises given to the entire team. The result is high turnover. Top Leadership was advised and they all agreed they wanted change and wanted staff retention but none wanted to actually change their own behaviors. To build trust involves many factors, but observe and listen is my go-to first steps.
Jessica Gibson
7mo
Great questions! For me, the single golden rule of building leadership trust is transparency. Leaders should communicate openly and honestly with employees, sharing both successes and challenges. As for internal comms professionals, we can help by facilitating clear and consistent communication channels, ensuring that leaders' messages are conveyed effectively and authentically. Personally, I've been working on creating more opportunities for direct interaction between leaders and employees, like town halls and Q&A sessions, to foster a culture of openness and trust.
Dominic Walters
7mo
Three key things for me. First help leaders be clear in what they are saying as people are more likely to mistrust leaders who hide behind complexity. Second help leaders make connections so people understand messages because, to quote Bon Scott, ' you can't trust nothing you don't understand '. Third help leaders have conversations so people are involved in issues and decisions.
Sanna Kantelinen
6mo
Transparency and listening. To create trust leaders need to share openly, also about the unknowns, and actively listen to the employees. Internal comms professionals can help by providing insights, coaching and advising on communication strategies.
Vanessa McVitty
7mo
They need to treat their employees like the experts they are and allow them to make decisions that fall within the scope of their roles. Internal communications professionals can create and promote regular opportunities for connections between leaders and employees, encouraging more information sharing.
Co-founder, The EX Space | Employee experience & internal communication agitator | FIIC | FCIPR | MSc | Brand owner, Lost Years Rum | Ex-EY
7moThere isn’t one single thing that builds trust, there are three - credibility, reliability and intimacy. Internal communicators can support all three - by working with leaders to ensure they are visible, accessible and ‘human’, by coaching them on their behaviours (and employee perceptions of) and by building channels and forums where leaders can get up close and personal with people. If there was one golden rule, for me it would be ‘walk the talk’ as gaps between say and do are what destroys trust.