As one of Tempe’s leading staffing services, PrideStaff knows that being a new manager comes with loads of responsibilities you didn’t have before. The most important one? Building trust with your staff. Without it, they won’t respect you and you won’t be able to get the most from each one in terms of performance and productivity.
Building a foundation of trust won’t happen overnight – and it can be tough to know where to begin. To help you along the way, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Take a collaborative approach.
You’re the leader and your employees are your staff. However, you’re still all part of the same team, which is why it’s important to make your people feel like you’re in this together. For instance, when you’re faced with a problem, present it to your people and work together to find a solution. In general, be sure to promote an open dialogue, encourage idea sharing, and listen actively to concerns and challenges.
Don’t pretend you have all the answers.
As a new manager, you’re in a somewhat vulnerable state. You’re trying to maintain and improve productivity, while at the same time learning the ropes of a new job. It’s a stressful position to be in, which is why it’s important to convey to your employees that you’re dealing with a learning curve and that you’ll likely make some mistakes along the way. When you’re honest and authentic with your team in this way, then they’ll be far more comfortable with you.
Be transparent with problems.
Don’t try to sweep things under the rug and pretend everything is ok. Instead, when an issue arises, be transparent about it. Bring it up with your staff, talk about it and share your own perspective, as well as your thoughts on handling it. Then invite others to do the same. When you manage issues this way, you’ll create a sense of camaraderie and collaboration. This, in turn, will produce more unity and a more supportive environment.
Give credit to others.
One of the best ways to build trust on your team is to step back and let your employees take the spotlight and the credit. When you do, you’ll show your respect, as well as your appreciation. This, in turn, will empower and motivate them to continue working hard.
Create room for disagreement.
There will be times when you disagree with an employee on how to handle a certain situation. But don’t automatically shut them down because you’re the boss. Disagreement and debate should be welcomed, not deterred. It’s only then that your employees will feel that you respect their opinions, building trust in the process.
When it comes to building trust on your team, it takes time. But you can be well on your way by following the tips above.
If one area you need help with as a new manager involves hiring, turn to the experts at PrideStaff. As one of Tempe’s leading staffing services, we can assist with services ranging from direct hire and temporary staffing to creating a strategic plan to ensure you’re always optimally staffed. Contact PrideStaff today to learn more.
