How to Increase Trust in Your Remote Team
When You’re Rarely in the Same Room
“Hey Karin, I have a great team, but they’re spread out ALL OVER THE WORLD. I wouldn’t say we have a trust issue, but I would like to find some additional ways to INCREASE TRUST. What do you suggest?
Today on #askingforafriend I’m taking you on a road trip to Virginia, on my way to give a keynote and talk about how to increase trust in a highly dispersed remote or hybrid team along the way.
If you’ve been hanging around Asking for a Friend for a minute, you know that so much of the trust research really comes down to 4 key questions. These questions apply to leadership, but they also can apply to teams.
To Increase Trust Ask Yourself These 4 Questions
Do we see one another as credible?
Does your team understand and value the expertise of each person? Does every member of the team have the opportunity to showcase their skills and share their background? Everyone wants to work on a team where they are respected for what they bring to the table. When this is the case, people feel seen and valued for their unique contribution.
Are we connected?
Does your team know one another as human beings? Is there time to connect, ask questions and connect around shared values and intentions? Check out these compassionate conversation starters for some tips on how to open conversations with deeper connection and increase trust.
Are we reliable?
Do your team consistently do what they say they will do, and meet our commitments? To increase trust, particularly in a global team with asynchronous work times, make sure you’re having conversations about expectations. How do you hold one another accountable? What are the agreements on the team regarding deadlines, communication, and follow-through? Lay these out so they are clear and consistent and everyone has access to the same agreements and expectations.
Do we genuinely have one another’s best interests at heart?
Provide opportunities with your team to share what they care about…professionally and personally. Do you have ways at work to protect each other’s interests? Do we have systems in place for when someone needs to take time off or miss a meeting? What about moving up in the workplace…are there opportunities to support one another around continuing education, increasing expertise, and learning new skills?
I’m curious, what would you add? How do you build and increase trust for a team that is seldom in the same room?
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