Wouldn't it be great if everyone in your organization trusted each other? You'd quickly get to the source of problems without wasting time on turf protection or covering up mistakes. Many mistakes could be avoided because people would easily ask for help and acknowledge the limits of their expertise. The bottom line? Your organization would be much more successful.
But that's not the world most people work in. We are often wary, wanting others to trust us but unwilling to trust them first. So we carry on with protecting ourselves, playing corporate political games, and other low trust, counter-productive strategies. That's why your leadership is important. As a leader, you can turn this story around.
Trust is a risk game and the leader must ante up first.
Recently an executive was discussing with me his challenges with one of his subordinates. The executive had met one-on-one with his subordinate and was hoping the conversation would help improve the relationship. "I could tell he didn't trust me enough to offer up much about his frustrations and challenges. So I decided to open up with him about my own challenges. It felt risky to put myself out there. But then he did begin to open up. I think we're on a path toward a better working relationship." The executive made a choice to take the risk of talking to his subordinate about the challenges that he felt vulnerable about. The result? Progress in a difficult relationship. Increased trust. Ultimately better performance for the organization.
It won't feel comfortable to take these risks at first. But leadership isn't about comfort - it's about results. If you want a more trusting organization, be the leader. Ante up first.
