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Why trust is important and how to (re)build it.
Trust. It's arguably at the center of everything we do. Whether it's trust in ourselves, our peers, our communities, or any of the organizations we belong to it is the foundation for how we interpret, act, and interact with the world around us.
Not surprisingly, this makes trust an essential element in building a healthy and successful business. We need it to feel psychologically safe, as that headspace gives us the confidence we need to take the necessary risks to learn and grow. However, we only feel psychologically safe when we believe we will not be penalized — or thought less of — for making a mistake, asking for help, or trying something new without success. (Edmonson, 2002)
When we're feeling safe we are much more likely to go into problem solving mode to try and find the best way to do things, rather than the easiest or most ego-appeasing way. This willingness to take risks and experiment is the fuel behind innovation and creativity.
When we're trusted we're also able to connect more to the people around us, which in turn makes us more motivated and productive. We're willing to drive forward the purpose of the group from our own motivation. An organization with this company culture will see higher performance, efficiency, and retention.
