Trust that Transforms: 3 Essential Keys to Organizational Success


Ted Kitterman
When trust becomes the cornerstone of culture, organizations not only grow, they transform.
Discover the essential keys to building a strong company culture based on trust: empathetic leadership, consistent practices, and effective collaboration. Improve productivity, retain talent, and stand out as an exceptional workplace.
Three Essential Keys to a High-Trust Culture
Leading workplaces have identified three key factors that enable them to build and sustain high levels of trust:
Empathetic and approachable leadership is critical to reversing declining trust, which if left unaddressed, can lead to lower employee productivity, challenges in retaining talent, and difficulties attracting new talent. It is important to focus on key actions such as honest communication, active listening, continuous recognition, and genuine care for employees. These practices create a sustainable environment of trust and productivity within the company and its teams.
Alignment between what a company says and does strengthens its credibility. This involves developing better processes, benefits, and policies that reflect the company’s values. Initiatives should focus on providing tangible support for employee well-being, which builds trust and reinforces a sense of fairness within the company.
Engaging employees in decision-making is key to creating effective and sustainable action plans. Many change initiatives fail because plans are imposed by leaders without considering the team’s perspectives. The voice of employees not only increases trust but also boosts engagement and well-being within teams.
A relevant concept is the “IKEA Effect,” which suggests that people value more what they build with their own effort, even if the result is not perfect. Applied to the workplace, this means employees develop a stronger sense of belonging by actively participating in creating solutions. This approach not only fosters trust but also enhances team satisfaction.
Towards a High-Trust Culture
Building trust among employees is not a one-time effort; it is an ongoing investment in company culture. Leaders who commit to a high-trust work culture enjoy benefits such as higher productivity, strong talent retention, and a superior ability to attract the best talent in the labor market. Beyond this, employees feel engaged and motivated, positively impacting the company’s results.
At Great Place To Work®, we can help you design effective strategies to strengthen your culture and transform your company into an exceptional workplace.
Get recognition for your culture
Gain recognition for your work environment and attract top talent who share your organizational values.