As a business leader, it is essential to have your team believe in you. This will help to improve outputs and create a more positive work environment. A study by the University of Michigan found that when employees feel confident in their leaders, they are more likely to be engaged in their work and perform better. In another study, researchers found that when team members trust their leader, they are more likely to take risks and be innovative.
Providing statistics like these can help to show the importance of having your team believe in you. When people feel good about their work and their leader, they are more likely to be productive and contribute positively to the company. However, earning and keeping your team’s trust can be challenging. Captivating your team’s hearts is essential to being an effective leader. Here are a few ways to do it.
Get to Know Your Members
It is impossible to earn trust if you do not know the people you are supposed to be leading. You need to understand their backgrounds, motivations, and goals. By getting to know your team members, you can relate better to them and build trust.
There will be times when you need to give critical feedback or make tough decisions. Having a relationship with your team members will make it easier to have these difficult conversations. They will more likely trust you and understand your choices if they know you.
Ngien Hoon Poon is a popular leader in Singapore that knows the importance of getting to know his team. SMRT, a public transportation company, is known to have a tight-knit culture. Nien points out to learn as much as he can about his team members. He has been known to ask about their families, hobbies, and goals.
By getting to know your team members, you can relate better to them and build trust.
Be Transparent
People are more likely to trust you if they can rely on you, to be honest with them. You should be open about your plans, decisions, and goals for the company. If there is bad news, do not try to hide it from your team. They will respect you more if you are upfront with them.
It is also essential to be transparent about your own mistakes. No one is perfect, and everyone makes mistakes. If you admit you are wrong, your team will trust you more.
Admitting your mistakes will also show that you are human and care about the company and its people.
Set the Exampl
As a leader, you must set an example for your team. If you want them to be punctual, you must be punctual yourself. If you want them to dress professionally, you must dress professionally. Your team will take their cues from you, so ensure you set a good example.
It would be best if you also led by example when it comes to working hard. If you are slacking off or not putting in the extra effort, why would they? Show your team that you are willing to work, and they will be more likely to do the same.
Encourage and Reward Good Work
When your team members do something well, let them know. A simple “thank you” or “good job” can go a long way. You can also give them verbal praise in front of their peers or write them a positive performance review.
Recognizing good work will motivate your team to keep up the excellent work. It will also show them that you are paying attention and care about their efforts.
You can reward your team members for their excellent work with perks like paid time off, gift cards, or bonuses. These rewards will show your appreciation and help to keep your team motivated.
Lead with Your Heart
Earning your team’s trust is essential to being an effective leader. To do this, you must get to know them, be transparent, set an example, and encourage and reward good work. Most importantly, you must lead with your heart. When you care about your team and their success, they will more likely trust and respect you. This will lead to a more productive and positive work environment.
When your team notices how much heart you put into leading them, they will be more likely to reciprocate. This effort will create a solid and positive group motivated to achieve great things.
The Bottom Line
Getting to know your team, being transparent, setting an example, and encouraging and rewarding good work are essential. Most importantly, you must lead with your heart. When you care about your team and their success, they will more likely trust and respect you. This will lead to a more productive and positive work environment.
