You know that if you don’t have trust, you don’t have much in a relationship. Trust is the building block of any good relationship.
But, we don’t start out day one with trust. We have to build trust. And building trust can be tricky.
6 Techniques For Building Trust With Your Team And Family Members
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Whether at work or in your home, trust is one thing you must build between you and your family or team members. Trust helps them know that they can count on you when times are tough.
Sometimes, we screw up. We mess up and break that bond of trust. The tips and techniques below will help you build and recover trust when trust has been lost or not yet earned.
Here are 6 techniques to build trust with your team and family members.
Follow through on what you say:
We lose trust with those we lead and care about because we fail to follow through on our word. We say one thing and then do another.
Let’s get better at that. Let’s start to follow through on our promises.
To do this, you can do the following:
- Write down what you’ve said you’re going to do (you now have a record of it)
- Schedule your action items throughout the day
- Follow up on what you’ve done
By doing these simple actions, you show those you’re leading and living with that you can do what you say.
Tell the truth:
Similar to the technique above, telling the truth matters. You can’t tell lies to your team member or family members. They’ll catch on. You’ll slip up. And then you’re in trouble.
It’s so much easier to tell the truth. It’s not always easy, but we must do it.
If you’re currently in a situation where you’re lying, stop it. Begin to tell the truth. You’ll see a marked difference in the responses and relationships you have.
Show them you care:
An old saying goes, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” It’s true.
You may have a title, a relationship, or a standing in the community, but no one cares who you are or what you say until they know that you care.
Want to build trust? You must show the people in your family and life that you genuinely care about them.
Get to know their hobbies. Find out their spouse’s name. Discover their passions.
You start to build trust when you show that you care.
Give the benefit of the doubt:
Everyone messes up. Even you! But what happens when a team member or spouse messes up? Do you instantly think that they meant to do it? Or do you give them the benefit of the doubt?
Many of us go to the idea that they meant to mess up or say the wrong thing. We think they’re out to get us.
But when we screw up, we want them to give us the benefit of the doubt. Let’s start doing that for others.
Look at what they did. Try to understand why they did it. Give them the benefit of the doubt.
Be supportive:
Offering your support shows that you appreciate and understand what people are going through. Being supportive is a huge sign of trust. And it gains trust as you support others.
Be a supportive voice in the life of others. Encourage them, cheer them on, give them wisdom!
Admit mistakes:
It takes a lot to admit your mistakes. We don’t like to look wrong or foolish. But we all make mistakes.
Admitting to these mistakes shows that you know how to assess your actions and the responses of those around you. People notice these things!
The people you lead and do life with see you when you make mistakes. They love it when you’re able to admit that you did something wrong. Not as an “I got you” thing but as a “He’s learning and growing. He understands how his actions made me feel.”
Be a leader and family member who admits their mistakes. Be open and vulnerable.
You’ll build trust that way!
