How do you build trust with your team when you’re taking over as a new leader?
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- Demonstrate your trust through effective communication and self-awareness. As a leader you should be able to clearly convey the message, understand team's strength and weaknesses and guide towards impactful work.
- Once you are able to gain trust, demonstrate your skills as an individual. Prove that you are an asset to the team and will add value in anything you take up.
Evolution has taught us to like someone who can display the aforementioned two things in that order specifically. Trust and then skills.
Start by actively listening to people and being curious about what they do and why. Learn about the team and include them in any changes you may be proposing.
Communicate clearly, ask lots of questions and listen to the answers.
Don't make promises too early - if you can't meet them, you'll come across as a flake.
Show how you can be trusted.
Some things that come to mind for me:
- Be approachable and friendly
- Begin weekly 1:1s
- Set clear expectations
- Do what you say you'll do
- Show support even when mistakes are made
- Be empathetic and authentic
Also inquire with your team re: lessons learned from tenure of the person you have replaced - ultimately, drive clarity and draw parity between how you choose to manage and how your team likes to be managed