Is Your Team Trusting or Tolerating You?
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Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s the foundation of any thriving organization. Yet, paradoxically, many workplaces are grappling with a silent crisis - misaligned perceptions between leaders and employees. This gap isn’t just a minor hiccup; it’s a trust assassin that silently erodes engagement and cripples performance.
Why Do Perception Gaps Exist?
At the heart of this issue lies a mix of #cognitive #biases and flawed communication strategies. The Truth-Default Theory (TDT) shares that we inherently trust others until proven otherwise. Malcolm Gladwell's book - Talking to Strangers (2019) highlights this issue. Leaders, confident in their intentions, often assume their messages are clear and genuine. However, without deliberate and transparent communication, employees may interpret actions differently, leading to scepticism and disengagement.
Moreover, theories like the Dunning-Kruger Effect highlight how overconfidence in leadership can blind them to their own shortcomings. In a study by Ipsos (2023) when CEOs believe they possess all the necessary qualities such as accountability, innovation, trustworthiness without recognizing what employees truly value, a gap forms. Employees crave reliability, responsibility, and humility, often feeling undervalued when these needs aren’t met.
The Real Impact on Organizations
This misalignment doesn’t just affect morale; it has tangible business consequences. According to the IC Index 2024, while 80% of executives rate employee experience as important, a mere 25% of employees feel genuinely engaged. This disconnect fuels high attrition rates, as talented individuals seek environments where their voices are heard and their contributions recognized.
Challenging the Status Quo
It’s time to dismantle the outdated belief that more communication automatically leads to better performance. Instead, organizations should focus on meaningful interactions that build trust and foster genuine connections. Leaders must engage in active listening, seek honest feedback, and align their actions with their words to bridge the perception gap.
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Who am I?
I am Aniisu, an award-winning internal communications and change leader helping individuals and organizations discover and develop their 'sweet-spot' through effective communications. As a Linkedin Top Voice for Internal Communications & Personal Branding based in Sydney, Australia, I offer insights, perspectives and solutions at the intersection of these two evolving domains. I believe that organizations are an amalgamation of employees as 'personal brands' and when we include, involve and inspire staff as partners of change, together we can amplify our presence and advocacy.
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#trust #communication #leadership #IC #InternalComms #engagement #EmployeeXP #listening #feedback #perceptions #change
|| Student of Brand Reputation & Corporate Image ||Journalist || Lawyer || Columbia Biz School alum || Ex- Group President & Chief Communications Officer, Bajaj Group, Bharti Airtel, HDFCBank,Reliance ||Views Personal!
1moVery well argued Aniisu.
I help leaders and professionals to pioritise progress, lift impact and get better results. Bestselling Author | Top Voice for Leadership | No BS.
1moThe Dunning Kruger effect is a major contributor to poor performance and low capability in every organisation. It impacts trust in so many ways