The more we study trust, from an interpersonal and organizational standpoint, the more we see a deep connection between trust and communication. In fact, leaders often refer to trust, communication, and leadership as the three-legged stool of modern business.

Communication falls squarely between trust and leadership! Communication is the thread that enables leaders to create a culture of trust within their organization. Once trust is established, leaders can achieve their goals more effectively and efficiently with the full faith and support of their team.

Today, organizations are built on trust – Reflect back on management practices only 20 years ago. How many leaders felt they needed to engender trust in order to motivate their teams? Not many!  Organizations are no longer built on force but on trust. The existence of trust between people does not necessarily mean that they like each other. It means they understand one another. Taking responsibility for relationships is therefore an absolute necessity!

Many of us have specialized tasks and responsibilities within an organization, and the only way to collaborate effectively is to understand each other, which is the core of trust. We learn to understand each other through communication, specifically, by asking questions and listening thoughtfully to the answer.

Leaders need to adopt the practice of asking more questions in order to appreciate the mindset of individual team members. The first secret of effectiveness is to understand the people you work with so that you can make use of their strengths.

Lead with trust – Trust and commitment do not just happen; they are forged and maintained through effective communication. We provide here some excellent evidence-based pointers for managers who want to understand how communication impacts trust and engagement.

1. Perception of effective communication with senior management has one of the strongest effects on a company’s trust climate.
2. When communication channels begin to deteriorate, misunderstandings and misrepresentations abound and a climate of mistrust sets in.
3. Managers’ ability to listen, communicate clearly, and lead had the strongest effect on employees’ organizational commitment.
4. To promote and build positive trust relationships, senior managers must communicate as honestly and directly as possible with their employees, particularly during uncertain times.

Building trust is more essential than ever for today’s leaders. Communication, the tool we use each day to build rapport and understanding with everyone in our lives, is also the tool for cultivating trust. By mastering the nuances of communication, we are able to excel in the role of trusted leader.

Leaders with the most impact are those who can build and successfully manage great teams. Every day, we help our clients and colleagues achieve their highest levels of professional presence and personal effectiveness. That includes everyone on the ladder, from company presidents to project managers, to staff members. Contact us at 800-282-3374 to find out how we can help you impact your own productivity and the productivity of your entire organization.