Faya Sanders 
A productive workforce is one that feels valued by its employers and has built bonds between its members. Creating the right environment is essential to ensuring that your team is happy and productive. But team building is one thing; how do you build trust with your co-workers?
There are several steps you can take to encourage co-workers to interact and build trust; it’s not as difficult as it sounds and can be extremely beneficial for everyone; including the company.
Be Consistent
It doesn’t matter what activity you are doing. You need to adopt a consistent approach. This means always putting in your best effort and always responding well to the requests of your co-workers.
This doesn’t mean you need to be walked over and always say yes even if you don’t have the time or the skills. You need to be able to listen and justify your response. This will let your co-workers know that you are being genuine and will help whenever you can.
Plan Group Activities
The boss may plan team building events but there is no reason why workers can’t organize these types of events themselves. The secret to these being successful is to try to select something that everyone will be able to do.
Whitewater rafting will allow you to create teams, build rapport and even add some healthy competition between workers. But, it is unlikely to appeal to everyone n your workplace.
However, if you take a slightly less adrenaline-fuelled approach and try something like a scavenger hunt you’ll find that every member of the tea can be involved.
Every person has their own strengths which can be used and will help co-workers get to know each other better. This will build trust very effectively.
Communication
Of course, it is essential that good communication is enabled between all members of the team at all times. This means internal phones, emails or even the use of an app to allow co-workers to communicate quickly and effectively.
This will allow everyone to benefit from the skills of others in the team and the workplace will benefit from the trust that is built.
Make Time
Perhaps most important is the ability of workers to make time for each other. This can be difficult when the working day is full from start to finish.
That’s why it is important to give adequate break times and provide a good level of facilities. This will encourage staff to stay on site and communicate with each other.
This simple act of making time for co-workers to talk will help them to build relationships. The better people know each other the higher the level of trust.
Praise Where Praise Is Due
If an employee or co-worker has done well then it’s a good idea to praise them and let others know you are doing this. Not only will the worker feel good it will foster an attitude of goodwill towards others; helping to inspire trust and get the best from all the team.
Building trust is not always easy although it can be damaged with a moment’s thoughtless actions. That’s why you need to work on it every day; your colleagues will appreciate and thank you for it.
