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The Connection between Trust and Happiness

Happiness, Happiness at Work, Leadership / My Holland / Trust

Some organizations still believe that high salaries and generous benefits are enough to keep employees motivated and happy. This might be true. But will you be happy in an environment where mistrust and intrigue are prevalent? Sure, these two exist in all organizations. You can always keep colleagues at arm’s length and maybe trust a few. Given a choice, would you stay or seek other options? Money or material wealth isn’t enough to keep employees. In time, they leave to take a different career path or search for opportunities to find happiness. The last sounds like a cliché, but people prefer to be happy than miserable – even at work. Happiness Means Different to People Several factors make people happy at the office. Among these are the following: • A fulfilling job• Transparency and honesty• Open communication• Flexibility• Challenging tasks• Friends at work• Good work environment There’s a common factor in the above and that is trust. People are social animals who need to be recognized and valued. It’s fair to assume that humans also desire a level of trust to exist in any situation. Leaders may not be friends with their colleagues. But, they will recognize the skills and abilities of their employees. Thus, they believe their staff will get things done. This is what’s known as transactional trust. Other leaders promote relational trust in the office, which encourages the creation of personal relationships. Employees who work with people they like are more effective team players and collaborators. Remember that both types of trust can lead to happier people at work. Trust Matters Employees work harder or smarter when they know their bosses and colleagues have their backs. They aren’t afraid to take risks and try out new ideas. Also, they don’t create unnecessary barriers that prevent good working relationships with coworkers. Conversely, in an environment lacking trust, a worker becomes passive, reserved and apathetic to the people around. An organization with a culture of trust encourages employees to address work problems and their need for assistance. In case of conflict, they don’t fear opening up. Know Your Colleagues What does trust mean to your coworkers? Like happiness, it means different to each person. For instance, will employees view more autonomy positively? It will be if you express your confidence in your colleagues. As a leader, you must verbalize your trust, as it might not be apparent outright. Don’t forget it also leads to happiness.

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If You Want to Build Trust, Take the First Step

Leadership, Mindfulness / My Holland / Trust

According to a 2019 Gallup article, only 1 in 3 employees fully trust their leaders. The rest somewhat do or have low regard for their managers. It might be different with your organization. You could say that the majority have confidence in your management. But companies and people evolve. Also, some leave to retire or find other opportunities. New hires usually replace these employees. As a leader, you must repeat the process of building and increasing trust because of these changes. Here’s how you could go about it. » Change Your Mindset You meet new people often and judge them, consciously or unconsciously. You are polite and cordial, but you will admit you don’t trust them enough. Most people adhere to the belief that trust is earned and not given. But keep in mind a new employee goes through a selection process. You might have interviewed that candidate and have had a hand in hiring. Your organization hired the best person for that position. You and your HR department most probably made the right choice. Thus, isn’t it better to be more trusting of that new employee? As people grow older, they become more cautious of others. Of course, one should not trust a stranger in a dark alley. But the workplace is different as employees aren’t strangers. Leaders should continue showing confidence in them unless they have behaved negatively. » Trust even when Unsure How often have you wondered if a new hire can handle something difficult? After weighing the pros and cons, you realize there’s only one way to find out – assign that task to that person. This situation can be difficult for many as nobody can foresee future results. But, as a leader, you must take risks and break the mold. Show confidence in capable though untested people. Remain consistent and often, you’ll realize that your trust isn’t unfounded. » There’s no Middle Ground In many organizations, leaders have a wait-and-see attitude. Employees must prove their worth before they’re given more responsibilities or information. It’s different where a culture of trust exists. Managers have no qualms about delegating tasks and are confident employees will make the right decisions. Leaders share information with everyone, so there’s no room for rumors. It’s no surprise these organizations perform better than others. Keep in mind that it starts from the top and as a leader, this means giving instead of withholding trust. Take the first step and show your employees they are trustworthy.

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Trust Means Having More Faith in People

Awareness, Leadership / My Holland / Trust

The word faith is often associated with religion. This article focuses on believing in others. Many employees complain when they’re assigned challenging tasks. They assume it’s some form of punishment. They’re mistaken because they aren’t aware that they’re trusted with more complex work. In short, their bosses believe in them. Conversely, some leaders prefer to do the hard stuff on their own. They strictly abide by the phrase, “if you want something done right, do it yourself.” They rarely delegate tasks to others because they don’t believe in their colleagues. These leaders claim there’s trust in their organizations. But they barely show confidence in the people they work with. The question is which side of the fence you belong to. Before moving on… The word faith is often associated with religion. This article focuses on believing in others. Faith in people doesn’t mean being Blind As a leader, you wouldn’t assign tasks to colleagues when unsure of their abilities. You would first ask yourself, what are your employees capable of? You can determine this from past performances and experience. What about the new employees who haven’t been tested? You can find out by assigning them simple tasks and soon increasing the difficulty. Believing in people also means accepting their weaknesses and shortcomings. Ignoring these can lead to blind faith. Keep in mind that perfect employees do not exist. There’s more than one way to cook an egg This is a good reminder for the perfectionists out there. They believe that their method of doing things is the only right way. Faith in others’ skills or abilities can increase efficiency and innovation. Also, expressing confidence is a motivator as employees strive harder to prove themselves worthy of such. If you want to build trust in your organization, let others flourish. Actively look out for people who are capable of taking on challenges. They may discover new ways or even develop better ideas that will benefit your organization. Don’t lose faith because of failures People you believe in will sometimes fail you. If you’re a sports fan, you’ve witnessed times when star players failed to score at a crucial time. The best sports teams, though, will continue to believe and remain confident in them.

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Tips on Having an Effective One-on-One Meeting

Leadership, Productivity, Workplace Culture / My Holland

Many employees think one-on-one meetings are useless. They go through the motions and expect nothing to come out of it. The reason could be simple. The wrong questions are being asked and nothing worthy is discussed. You want to get the most out of these sit-downs as a leader. These are not ordinary conversations, although you want to set a conversational tone to create a relaxed atmosphere. Much feedback can be gained from one-on-one meetings if done right. The challenge is that many bosses don’t realize that it’s their responsibility to conduct meaningful discussions. If you’re a manager, boss or the top person in your organization, take note of the following before you call or schedule a sit-down. 1. The first step is to review notes from past meetings. It will give you an idea of where your starting point is. 2. The next step is to prepare questions relevant to the person you’re to meet. Don’t waste time on subjects your employee doesn’t know about. Avoid templates or generic questionnaires. These don’t do much good today. However, there are basic questions that you should consider and here are several: Encourage your employee to keep talking. So don’t forget the following: · Go on… · Why do you think that? · Tell me more. · Give me an example. 3. Listen and take notes, which means putting on silent distractions like phones. You may not agree, but acknowledge what your employee is saying. Also, you shouldn’t talk too much or too little. Offer suggestions and advice when you can. 4. Recap and plan for the next meeting. Summarize everything discussed and ask your employee if you missed anything. Also, determine what needs to be addressed the next time you meet. After your meeting, evaluate how you did and find out how you can do better next time.

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Be Fair to Women Leaders

Empowering Women, Leadership / My Holland

It isn’t enough that organizations give women more opportunities to develop into leaders. When they become one, they should be fairly evaluated too. Sure, there are women in leadership roles today. But, they may not be judged impartially by their colleagues, even when they’re performing well. It doesn’t help that many women believe that men are better leaders. You are likely to find them in your midst. Nevertheless, before you assess a woman leader, take note of the following. These will help you give a fair assessment. » Your Unconscious Biases Have you asked yourself what you think of women leaders? You may be unaware of deep-rooted biases that influence your opinion of women. Culture can have an effect. In several modern societies, women aren’t encouraged to pursue high positions. There’s that belief that these jobs are better suited for men. Experiences can also play a role. For instance, an unpleasant encounter with a woman leader can create negative opinions without you knowing it. So, when evaluating, make sure you’re being objective. Question your reasoning when you make opinions about women in leadership roles. » Your Organization You can’t change a company’s culture overnight. Some organizations need to be restructured when deciding to become diverse. Many businesses claim they don’t have glass ceilings. If there are no programs or a conscious effort to promote and train women for leadership, then it’s just empty talk. Do women in your organization enjoy the same opportunities given to men? Are employees open to reporting to women bosses? When women leaders work in an environment where gender biases exist, they always fall short of expectations. » Define Parameters for Evaluation Did a leader, regardless of gender, accomplish goals for the month, quarter or year? This is one of the basic questions during assessments. There should be criteria for evaluation. Also, as an evaluator, provide evidence such as results. When giving opinions, cite events or situations when a leader did well or otherwise. Most organizations have well-thought-out questionnaires used for evaluations. Without one, there’s a tendency to make judgments influenced by biases. » Make the First Step. When a woman leader is assertive, many may view her as abrasive. When she shows empathy, she’s considered soft. Encouraging cooperation, employees think she’s weak. Don’t stereotype and maybe, try to change the hearts and minds of people who view women as inferior. When evaluating a woman leader, stick with performance criteria. Don’t look for skills or traits that are unnecessary for the job. Lastly, set an example by sharing your thoughts with others. You may be the spark your organization needs.

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Leadership

The Connection between Trust and Happiness

If You Want to Build Trust, Take the First Step

Trust Means Having More Faith in People

Tips on Having an Effective One-on-One Meeting

Be Fair to Women Leaders

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