As a leader of an organisation, department or team, building trust in the workplace is important to the overall success of your department and company. Here’s how you can build this rapport.

1. Adapted from
“Seven Steps to Building Trust in the Workplace”
by Shana Bosler
7Steps
to Building
Trust in the
Workplace
As a leader of an organisation,
department or team, building trust
in the workplace is important to the
overall success of your department
and company. Here’s how you can
build this rapport.

2. 1.
Be as transparent
as possible.
Being transparent and accurate will
help earn credibility with employees
who have an Analytical preference.
Accurate and credible information is
important for them, not just the points
that support one perspective.

3. 2.Follow through
on your commitments.
When you say you’re going to do
something, do it. This action will foster
trust in those with a Structural
preference because they feel a sense
of appreciation when timelines and
expectations are met.

4. 3.Show care
for others.
It is important for those with a
Social preference to know that
people and relationships are part
of your organisation’s and your
own decision-making process.
Demonstrate that you care for and
value your people.

5. 4.Connect to the
bigger picture.
People with a Conceptual preference
need to understand the vision for the
company and themselves. To build trust
in the workplace, communicate about
the bigger picture and the hope for
the future.

6. 5.Communicate
conscientiously.
Expressiveness connects to the way that your
team members process information. Some
will be internal processors and need time
before responding. Others will want to talk
through their thoughts. Provide information
in multiple ways like email, over the phone
and in person. Give others a chance to talk
and take time to listen.

7. 6.Manage conversation
and conflict respectfully.
Assertiveness is the style and pace with which you
advance your thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Some
will advance their ideas in a more peacekeeping
manner, while others will be direct in promoting
their opinions. Calmly mediate discussions and
encourage open conversation. Set norms that
allow for challenging ideas so long as it is
done thoughtfully.

8. 7.Be open to
different approaches.
Flexibility measures your willingness to accommodate
the thoughts and actions of others. Some will prefer to
commit to an approach, while others welcome change
even after a decision is made. To build confidence,
show that you are open to different ideas and
perspectives than your own. Once a decision is made
stick with it, and if it must change, be transparent
about why a new approach is being taken.
OTHER WAY
THIS WAY
THAT WAY