Ask the Trust Dr.

In our coaching, we are often asked questions about the specifics steps to take to build trust with colleagues or employees (hence, our book!).

Recently in my coaching, one executive admitted that he had dug a hole with his colleagues by always sharing bad news and blaming them for it. He figured that his last option was to either leave the company or really make a substantial change in his relationships with them. His question: “How do I prove to them that I am serious about changing the way I interact with them?”

My answer: Be deliberate about changing your ways.

First–apologize to your colleagues for your past impatience and tell them that you are serious about changing your relationship with them.

Second–show them you are serious by doing one new thing each day, like getting out of your office to go to their office (big thing actually to visit someone else) or scheduling time for coffee or lunch. Take the time to talk with them about work or themselves.

Third–Keep showing them day after day that you are serious about creating a better relationship and through those small steps they will see that you are