Ways to Communicate with Employees to Build Trust

• #HR

How you interact with employees counts even more than the words and ideas you say. The right ways to communicate between managers and employees are critical for building and maintaining trust. It often happens that employees leave the company because they don´t have trust in their managers. Open communication is key in this case.

• Be empathetic - when sharing information, create a sense of togetherness, for example, when changes are coming, express that you understand how it affects different people differently.

• Be transparent and accountable - employees want to trust what their managers say. You must be straightforward and honest, especially when it comes to bad news. Be transparent by explaining what you know, how you know, and how and when you can share more information.

• Be specific - for communication to be effective, you must express yourself as clearly and specifically as possible. Leaders who communicate clearly and specifically avoid misunderstandings better.

• Give feedback - managers should strive to provide meaningful feedback to employees. When giving and receiving feedback has become convenient and daily, employees can develop independently and as a team.

• Be aware of the situation - be aware of how the information you provide affects employees and team dynamics. Be open to feedback on how to move forward in the situation.

• Communicate regularly - if you pass on information, you must not disappear after that, be present and answer questions. Let people know you're there and ready to chat and answer questions daily.

• Two-way conversation - just as you share information with employees, ask them for input and information, and give them a chance to share their worries and joys. And be sure to listen carefully and notice what you are being told. It is especially important for the younger generations that they are heard.

• Help employees share experiences - allow employees to share their challenges and victory stories, and encourage them to share their ideas. Allow them to pass on their collective ideas to management for guidance on how to proceed.