The success of an organization in the current turbulent environment depends on its employees. A changing business environment that is driven by technology, globalization and the need for accountability calls for responsive companies that can generate great ideas that can be used to overcome the adverse effects of external forces. Such capabilities depend on the corporate culture and the relationship that exists and the level of trust. Every manager desires a strong team that can spur the success of a company to greater heights (Mitchell & Gamlem, 2018). However, few organizations have healthy relationships and trust among the employees. The need for success in a changing environment requires managers who can build strong relationships and trust among employees using different tools.
Background to the Case
In the current case, a human resource team was engaged in the task of organizing the office, but they failed to achieve this simple task due to personal differences and mistrust. The same group is involved in a more robust project, and if the experience is anything to go by, then the chances are high that the same outcome will be obtained. The desire to see the team succeed in the project led to a literature review of the possible tools that can be used on the side to build a strong relationship, trust, and foster relationship and to help the employees to feel engaged in their work. A thorough review of the literature identified the following tools that can be used to achieve a cohesive team.
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Tools for Building Trust and Relationships in a Team
Team Building Exercise
Trust building activities like team building can go a long way in reinforcing trust in employees. Similarly, it has the potential of promoting a sense of camaraderie if performed regularly and at the appropriate time. Despite the offensive nature of team building exercise, they can go a long way in promoting a tight-knit and trusting work environment. A successful team building exercise makes employees feel that they are on the same side and enhances communication and trust. Employees start to rely on others for work-related issues which fosters strong interaction in the entire team fostering trust.
Work Outings and Rewards
Going out of the workplace for an outing allows employees to see each other from a different perspective not just like a colleague. Frequent excursions can foster stronger relationships as members of the team start trusting each other. Informal environments encourage employees to share personal information. Employees, for example, can visit an escape room which acts as a unique venue for trust building. The activities are adrenaline fuelled as members try to escape a maze or locked room. The teams have access to clues, riddles, and scenarios that use individual skills and knowledge that can be used to flee within the stipulated time. Studies point out that escape rooms are better placed at increasing trust in a team and are even better than team building exercises.
360 Degree Feedback
This is an annual appraisal technique that has the potential of building trust in organizations. Productive and constructive feedback can help individual members to understand their skills and efforts while giving them an opportunity to know how others perceive them. The feedback is a positive and enlightening exercise capable of building trust and reducing conflicts in a team.
People Skill
It is critical to know each team member at the personal level since it gives one an opportunity to understand the work style of an individual their strengths and abilities as well as skills while giving them a chance to view their colleagues as individual they can trust. A harmonious working environment can be built using tools like workstyle and other team building activities. Similarly, open communication can be enhanced by learning about each other thus improving trust and a strong working relationship. Similarly, understanding each other allows one to give praise where it deserves, therefore, enhancing trust and healthy relationships.
Story Telling
Storytelling allows an individual to connect with a team by expressing their emotions and vulnerabilities. The ability to story tell leads to admiration, and appreciation and can even lead to the reliance of personal expertise in a field. A story allows teams to connect to the human part of an individual and therefore has a higher potential of creating trust (Kaplan & Manchester, 2018). A story can enable colleagues to go into the raw and fragile part of oneself that has always been kept intimate. , therefore, can develop strong bonds and a deep, authentic connection between the storyteller and the listener.
One day as I was operating heavy lifting machinery without the required qualifications and authority from my employer, I realized that I damaged a part of the wall after I failed to take the appropriate action of parking the machinery at the right place. I had no authority to handle it, but my curiosity led me to believe that I can do it when an opportunity appeared. The operator was the first responder and yelled at me for the action. Several questions and insults were thrown at me, and I felt like my world was coming to an end. No one comforted me and all what I felt was a sense of guilt. I did not utter a work to the supervisor who looked at me within a way that raised more questions than answers. Yes, I had broken one of the policies of the company. The insurance could not cover the claim, and my meager salary was inadequate to do the repair which according to my estimation could run into tens of thousands, I never knew what to say or even do. All that I remember is I left the premises never to return. I felt humiliated and I never also share the experience with my closest friends until today that I thought I should let someone know.
References
Glaser, J. (2016). Conversational intelligence: how great leaders build trust & get extraordinary results . New York: Bibliomotion Taylor and Francis Group.
Kaplan, B., & Manchester, J. (2018). Building Trust Among Team Members Through Storytelling. Retrieved from https://www.clomedia.com/2018/05/22/building-trust-through-storytelling/
Mitchell, B., & Gamlem, C. (2018). The Manager's Answer Book . Newburyport: Career Press.
