How to Improve Trust with Your Direct Reports

Employees need to feel like their managers trust them to give their best work. How do you show them you believe in them? Follow these tips below:

• Demonstrate favorable assumptions about them.

• Don't hide information or assume that people will mishandle it.

• Give challenging assignments with the positive and confident belief that your expectations will be met.

• Promote transparency. You can either confirm or debunk the rumor. An excellent way to do this is to include a "through the grapevine" agenda item in meetings. This will serve as a fun, informal way for people to share company information they've heard.