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Introduction
Trust is a big issue in today's business world since evidence suggests that trust between associates (employees) and employers has been waning. It is difficult, if not impossible, to have effective and productive working relationships without trust (Russell 2013). Therefore trust is critical for every business. In the past, companies used teams only for special projects. Today, associates often work in teams on a daily basis. Teamwork involves trust among team members and between management and associates. This article discusses what trust is and why it is critical in business, why businesses need teamwork to survive, and tips for team building.
What Trust is and Why It Is Critical in Business
Webster's Dictionary defines trust as the "assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something." Many managers believe that one of the main keys to the survival of a business is trust. Trust is a critical issue in any type of relationship due to varying levels of interdependence and a relationship without trust is not really a relationship at all. One of the problems that managers encounter when dealing with teams is that managers cannot automatically instill trust into their associates. Even with the appropriate individuals on a team, a team that does not build a trusting relationship is not as effective in their dynamic synergy as they could be as a team. Research shows that trust is the basis for creating a healthy work environment. According to Heathfield (2019), trust is the necessary precursor for the following:
- Feeling able to rely upon another person
- Cooperating as a group
- Taking thoughtful risks
- Experiencing believable communication
In other words, "trust forms the foundation for effective communication, associate retention, motivation, and contributions of discretionary energy" (Heathfield 2019).
Business Needs Teamwork to Survive
Many have heard the statement that there is "no 'I' in the word 'Team'." This is as true today as it has ever been. Businesses have found that the key to successfully completing and accomplishing projects is often through the development of teams. Whereas in the past, teamwork was used only for special projects, now it is often the norm (Heathfield 2019). Teamwork has become an essential element for the success and survival of a business.
True collaboration, however, is a problem that plagues companies when trying to develop a teamwork environment. It becomes a problem because, in the real world, individuality is rewarded more often than team participation. Managers must be able to develop ways for associates to grow and develop as a team. Team building is not always the easiest task to accomplish, but consider the five tips listed in this article to incentivize your associations into building effective team collaborations.
Tips for Team Building
Team building can encourage communication and deepen trust through collaboration and the promotion of a positive work environment. Management is responsible for building trust and finding associates who want to participate as a successful team (Russell 2013).
There are many ways that management can create and manage successful teams. Heathfield (2018) offers five helpful tips on how to build effective teams:
Tip 1: Form teams to solve real work issues and improve real work processes
The manager should provide the team with teamwork training and opportunities to engage beforehand on systematic methods of team work. Then, having gained some experience, the team can focus on accomplishing the project, not necessarily simply on how they should work together as a team.
Tip 2: Hold departmental meetings to review projects and progress
It is the manager's responsibility to recognize when a group is not developing a healthy relationship. Departmental meetings give the manager the opportunity to examine the team's progress. If a team is falling behind, the manager should look to see if the team has personality issues or other difficulties in agreeing on the best approach for the assignment.
Tip 3: Build fun and shared experiences into the organization's agenda
The manager should help the team think as a unit within a positive or a fun work environment so that everyone on the team feels involved and appreciated. For example, management could sponsor company dinners or business trips to sporting events or team retreats.
Tip 4: Use icebreakers and time-limited fun team-building exercises
The manager should use icebreakers and group activities at the beginning of meetings to promote interaction and camaraderie among team members. The bottom line is that icebreakers help associates to get to know each other on a more personal basis.
Tip 5: Celebrate group successes publicly
The manager should recognize the group as a whole for their accomplishments, not just offer individual feedback within the group. Constructive group praise is always the best policy to motivate team development.
Conclusion
Leadership expert John C. Maxwell (2013) describes the process of trust, teamwork, and change as a journey. And although managers cannot force their associates to trust each other or to work as a team, they can provide associates with the needed resources and work environment designed to build trust. Then, once trust is established, managers have a better opportunity to accomplish company goals through supportive, meaningful relationships within their organizations.
References
Russell, N.S. 2013. Ten ways to cultivate work relationships and grow trust. Psychology Today.com. Trust: The New Workplace Currency https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/trust-the-new-workplace-currency/201309/ten-ways-cultivate-work-relationships-and-grow-trust
Maxwell, J.C. 2013. Teamwork and vision go hand in hand. JohnCMaxwell.com https://www.johnmaxwell.com/blog/teamwork-and-vision-go-hand-in-hand/
Heathfield, S.M. 2019. The secrets to developing trusting relationships in the workplace. Thebalance careers.com Human Resources. Conflict Resolution. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/trust-rules-the-most-important-secret-about-trust-1919393
Heathfield, S.M. 2018. How to build a teamwork culture in your organization: Ways to foster a positive company culture in your workplace. Thebalancecareers.com Human Resources. Team Building. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-build-a-teamwork-culture-1918509