Leaders are positively intentioned – they aim to be fair, transparent and effective. And yet, surveys consistently show that around two-thirds of employees don’t trust their leader, negatively impacting engagement and performance levels. As a leader, what can you do to demonstrate your trustworthiness? Here are some practical ideas you can implement immediately at meetings to build a foundation of trust:
1. Be well prepared in advance, so you can be fully present in the discussion.
2. When you speak, start by sharing your intention (your objective). This avoids your message, or motive, being misinterpreted.
3. By paying close attention to others, they will know you are genuinely interested in their ideas and you will notice when people are struggling. The result – trust will be reciprocated, leading to more effective communications, higher engagement and increased productivity. Plus, as a leader, it will be easier for you to attract and retain the best people. Good reasons why many organisations have identified building trust as a strategic priority.

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