by Sydney Boyce, MS, LAT, ATC, RYT200

Trust is the foundation of any thriving workplace culture. It’s not just a buzzword. It’s the bedrock of strong relationships, effective teamwork, and mutual success. To build trust among coworkers, shift your perspective from individual achievement (how you perform, how you act, how you succeed, how you reach goals, how you look) to empowering those around you. When your presence helps others succeed, you create an environment of positivity and support. In turn, trust and cooperation flourish, making it easier to achieve shared goals.

Simon Sinek explains in his TED Talk that great leaders make others feel safe. They prioritize the well-being of their teams, creating environments where trust thrives. This contrasts with cultures that prioritize self-interest, often at the expense of others.

Keys To Building Trust

To make those around you trust you and want to get behind your goals, you must create positive conditions for success. An empowerment mindset is how you build trust with your coworkers, teams and leaders.

• Be Authentic: Authenticity means aligning your words, actions, and values. Be honest about your intentions and consistent in your behavior. People trust those who are reliable and transparent, not those who say what they think others want to hear.
• Use Logic and Integrity: Thoughtful responses, sound judgment, and clear communication go a long way. Speak only on what you know, back your points with facts, and seek clarification when needed. Logic builds confidence, while integrity ensures respect.
• Practice Empathy: Empathy is about connecting with others by showing genuine care and understanding. Listen actively, recognize emotions, and respond without judgment. A small change—like putting your phone away during conversations—can make a big difference.

Trust In Practice

So how do we put these thoughts into action at work? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Get to Know Your Team: Take time to learn about your coworkers. Genuine interest strengthens connections, helps you pick up on when someone is “off,” and demonstrates care.

Be Consistent: Align your actions and words. Reliability breeds accountability and builds psychological safety within teams.

Show Commitment: Keep your promises. Doing what you say fosters confidence and lays the groundwork for trust.

Be Your Brother’s Keeper: Support your teammates by giving constructive feedback, rooting for their success, and celebrating their wins. Mutual support strengthens relationships and collaboration.

Communicate Openly: Foster inclusivity, cooperation, and engagement by being transparent. Open communication improves creativity and productivity.

Be Authentic: Stay true to yourself and your values. Honesty and authenticity help others trust you, as they know you’re not just saying what they want to hear.

Practice Continuous Transparency: Maintain honesty over time by sharing both successes and challenges. This openness encourages mutual growth and accountability.

Provide Unwavering Support: Be there for your team, no matter the circumstances. Showing up consistently fosters a culture of trust and dependability.

Trust is a long-term commitment that requires patience, consistency, and transparency. It’s the small daily actions – listening, showing care, and staying true to your values – that strengthen relationships and build a culture where everyone can succeed.

Sydney Boyce, MS, LAT, ATC, RYT200 || Sydney Boyce, MS, LAT, ATC, RYT200 || Sydney received her education between King’s College (Wilkes-Barre, PA) and West Virginia University. She’s been in the industrial setting for 6 years and transitioned to Work Right with the recent acquisition of Occupational Athletics. Apart from work, she’s a workout junkie! She spends her evenings and weekends teaching power yoga and going on hikes with her chocolate lab, Reese!

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Be sure to check out our other blogs for further injury prevention education and tips for the industrial athlete from Work Right NW!