Knowledge Building:

Trust is a firm belief or confidence in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone.

Trust is essential for establishing meaningful connections and effective collaboration! Today, we’ll review three key strategies to help you build and maintain trust within your personal and professional relationships.

Strategy 1: Foster Open Communication

Create an environment where people feel safe to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns openly and without fear of judgment. Encourage transparent communication by setting clear expectations and modeling vulnerability yourself.

Strategy 2: Practice Active Listening

Develop active listening skills to show that you value your team’s input. Listen attentively by making eye contact, using nonverbal cues, and asking questions for clarification. Paraphrase what you heard and demonstrate empathy to build rapport and strengthen relationships. 

Strategy 3: Provide Clear Feedback

Offer honest, clear, and constructive feedback regularly. Recognize strengths and areas for improvement to show your commitment to others’ growth and development.

By fostering open communication, practicing active listening, and providing clear feedback, you can cultivate trust and promote positive dynamics in both your personal and professional relationships.

Activity & Assessment

Complete this multi-step self-assessment activity, then reflect on when, where, and how you’ll make improvements?
Rate your ability to communicate openly and foster transparency (1-5-highest)(Required)
Rate your ability to actively listen, including verbal and nonverbals (1-5-highest)(Required)
Rate your ability to provide clear and honest feedback (1-5-highest)(Required)
Rate your overall ability to build and maintain trust within your relationships (1-5-highest)(Required)

Challenge

Complete a mission, vision, values exercise together as a team. Trust can be strengthened when leaders and team members share a common vision and values. (Optional)