Build Trust With a New Team
Are you a new team leader? Are you hoping to be in the future? I remember preparing to start in a role several years ago and thinking through how I wanted to show up as a leader to my new team. I skimmed The First 90 Days, read all of the articles I could find, asked questions of my current direct reports, and put together a plan of what was important to me.
Because I thoughtfully prepared in advance how I wanted to show up as a leader, when I met my team for the first time, I was able to fully focus on them and how I could best support them. To ensure you and your team are successful, it’s important to build trust from the start.
Here are four ways to do that.
1. Project Warmth
When you meet people for the first time, it is natural to focus on your competence and how to demonstrate what you know. However, research shows when people meet you for the first time, they are focused on your warmth and whether they can trust you. Build warmth by asking questions, making eye contact, and actively listening.
2. Give Trust
If you want to earn trust, you have to offer it, too. My philosophy on trust is to assume trust from day one. You don’t have to earn it with me. This means that when an employee tells me they can do something, I believe them. That said, trust can be broken and it’s hard to be rebuilt.
3. About Me Document
Everyone works differently, but when you join a new team, there’s no manual telling you about each individual’s work style. That’s why I created The About Me document. (Pro Tip: A template for how to create your own About Me document is included in my book, One Bold Move a Day!) It helps a new team understand who you are and how you approach your work, so you can build trust faster.
I spent time writing my own thoughts about my leadership style and values; and I also asked each of my team members to develop one for me, too, so I could learn how to best support them. This document is now in our team onboarding document for all new team members to have for reference.
4. Listen Thoughtfully
Meet with every one of your team members individually when you start, not just your direct reports, if you can. It will be a considerable amount of time and effort, and it will be an important recognition to your team about what you value. Ask each team member questions that you send in advance. I like asking:
What are three strengths of the team?
What are three things we should change?
What is one thing you’re hoping I do?
Building trust is a process and it comes from the things you say, and most importantly, the things you do. Show you care about your team members as individuals, listen to what they say, and follow through. In time, you’ll build the foundation of trust that will enable you and your team to be successful for the long-term.