What Does It Take for an Employee to Trust Their Boss?

Employees do not just listen to leaders. They watch them.

Photo by Pablo Varela on Unsplash

The complex relationship between a boss and their employees is nothing new. You have probably seen reviews or articles online about poor management. Maybe you have heard a friend talk about how much they resent their boss. Or maybe you are currently facing this crisis at work and wondering if you should hire a shaman to perform a ritual that removes the evil from your boss.

Bad management has existed for a long time, and unfortunately, it will probably continue to exist.

Despite the books, research studies, and leadership training programs that teach supervisors how to lead better, poor management still shows up everywhere, especially in online reviews.

Poor management does not just affect employees. It affects the company’s brand, reputation, and trustworthiness. And in this digital age, it spreads like wildfire.

So, how do we prevent that wildfire from spreading?

As a supervisor or manager, how can you make sure your employees trust you?

A research study by Jiang and Luo (2018) found that employees are more likely to trust leaders who show authenticity, transparent communication, and genuine engagement.

But what does being authentic really mean?

An authentic leader communicates transparently. They value honesty and integrity. They communicate with the intent to inform, not just to say what people want to hear. Most importantly, their words match their actions.

You must be sincere when you talk. I have read many books about being genuine, but sincerity is not something you can simply switch on like a light. Being sincere comes with emotion. It means you care. It means you are considerate and not only thinking about yourself.

So, ask yourself: Do you care? If so, why? If not, why not?

If you ask me, I care because it is the right thing to do. I care because, at the end of the day, employees feel the same things I do. They feel pain, exhaustion, frustration, sadness, happiness, and every emotion in between. I can relate because I know what it feels like when things are hard, and I also know what it feels like when someone in power chooses to care.

When you are in a position of power, the spotlight is on you. Employees watch your every move because they are trying to figure out if they can trust you. That is why influence is so powerful. When employees know they can trust you, you make an impact. Because of that impact, they become more open to following your lead.

There is an invisible thread that connects them to you. That thread is trust. And when trust is present, people feel more engaged.

Sounds simple, right?

Not really.

This is where authenticity matters. You cannot be authentic only in the beginning just to gain people’s trust and then set it aside later. Trust is built through consistency. Your words and actions must align not only when things are easy, but also when things are difficult.

Your values are the foundation of your authenticity. They remind you that your actions affect the people who rely on you. They push you to do the right thing, not just what protects your position.

Authentic leadership goes beyond your title as a supervisor or manager. It means seeing employees as people, not just numbers.

They are more than just workers.

They are your people.

Source:

Jiang, H., & Luo, Y. (2018). Crafting employee trust: From authenticity, transparency to engagement. Journal of Communication Management, 22(2), 138–160. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-07-2016-0055

Originally published at https://katrinapasion.substack.com.