Rousseau and colleagues defined trust
as "a psychological state comprising the intention to accept vulnerability
based upon positive expectations of the intentions or behaviour of
another."Trust arises as a need to be interdependent with others. It is a
key element in conflict resolution. People depend on each other to assist each
other in obtaining the outcomes they value.
Dimensions of trustworthy behaviour
Trust can be earned using two ways; practical
and emotional. Practical trust is earned by meeting commitments, being
punctual, reliable and dependable. Lack of practical trust leads to lack of
communication, inefficient work and missed deadlines. Emotional trust is what
takes teamwork to the next level. It involves treating people with respect and
kindness, providing a safe for people to confess their honest thoughts, ideas
and feelings.
There are three dimensions of trustworthy behaviour
that are linked top each other yet contribute separately to inculcate trust in
a relationship.
- Ability:
The knowledge, competency and skill possessed by an individual
- Integrity:
Trustee adhering to the trustor
- Benevolence:
Open and honest communication, sharing control and delegating decisions
Ways to build trust at work
According to a few studies, trust can be built at
work using the following ways:
- Credibility:
Being able to tell the truth, accepting that you're wrong and admitting
when you do not know something
- Reliability:
Being consistent and punctual as well as loyal towards your work
- Intimacy:
Extending trust to others including people to participate being mindful
about your reactions to others' work
- Self-orientation:
Having self-awareness and knowing when to put it in action. Listening with
intent, giving others a chance to talk and accepting one's failures
The Trust
Equation uses these four factors to measure trustworthiness.
T = (C + R + I)
/ SO
T = Trust
C = Perception of
Credibility
R = Perception of
Reliability
I = Intimacy
SO = Perception of
Self-Orientation
Trust plays an essential role for a
productive and safe workspace. It assists in improving employee experience. The
pandemic has resulted in many organisations opting to work from home, as a
result of which building trust is even more vital.
References
Trust and Trust Building. Beyond Intractability. (2017). Retrieved 8 May
2021, from https://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/trust_building.
Price, H. (2017). 12 practical ways to build
trust at work. Blog.jostle.me. Retrieved 8 May 2021, from
https://blog.jostle.me/blog/ways-to-build-trust-at-work.
