Need to build trust? - Think COVER

Do you need to build trust in your team or with your superiors? It's true that building trust takes time and can be smashed in an instant, but by focussing on specific characteristics, you'll get there. If you're taken on a problem team where trust has been broken, then the following is for you.

Competency

Showing competency in your work engenders trust in those around you. Everything that we do - big or small - is a stone in the wall of trust. It all builds a picture of our competency to do the job. Those around you are asking 'are you a safe pair of hands or are you likely to drop the ball?'.

Openness

Being open to others and showing integrity in your actions is an important part of building trust. The old adage that 'people buy from people' runs true, so be open, be transparent in your motives. If you can't do something within a prescribed time, say it. Don't pretend and hope that it will work out.

Be open to suggestions from those junior to you, not just your superiors. And when your team has a win, share the glory be open upwards, downwards and with your peers.

Vulnerability

Show a little vulnerability. That soft underbelly of yours? - should be exposed sometimes. Trust comes when we see that our colleagues are real human beings. We can hold a leadership position and be vulnerable.

Empathy

Express care for others; show that you relate to problems and try to understand - even if you don't. Showing empathy, showing that we care is not weakness.

Reliability

The hard work begins with reliability. Consistency shows care for your work and for your colleagues. Being consistent takes attention. It means not cancelling 1-1 meetings with your line reports. It means turning up on time, as expected. It means delivering work when you say you will. It means being there when the s%@t hits the fan to pick up the pieces and come up with a plan.

So if you need to build trust... think COVER - Competency, Openness, Vulnerability, Empathy and Reliability.

Cover image: By Zdeněk Macháček.