Whether you’re working in a team, leading a team, or working with a client, an important factor in being effective is the element of trust.

Trust is not instant no matter what your role is in an organization. It is essential that you gain trust so that the working relationship can be built. As a consultant, it is important to me to build that trust with my clients so that I can help them achieve their communication goals.

My three keys to building trust in a working relationship can be effective whether you’re working as part of a team, leading a team, or, if you’re like me, developing a “team” approach to working with your clients.

Case study

I recently worked on a project developing communication modules for a team so that:

They could expand their abilities.

New staff could be effectively trained as part of their induction into the organization.

This is how I used my 3 keys to make this a worthwhile experience for everyone involved.

Key #1 – Clear and open communication

While working on the project, it was important that I communicate my purpose and how it would benefit both individuals and the team as a whole. I made sure I was accessible to answer any questions and respected the time and availability of team members.

My approach was simple: the team members were the experts; my role was to capture their knowledge and put it in a format that everyone could benefit from.

We know communication is important, but have you ever been surprised by the responses you’ve received when communicating your goals and vision?

If the answer is not what you expected, you may need to consider these questions:

· Have I expressed myself in a way that relates to the listener’s preferred communication style?

Has my team or client indicated their understanding of my plan and how they will benefit from it?

· Have I been clear in each step of the process?

Key #2 – Listen

‘You actually heard’ – That was the answer I received from one of the team members. What a compliment! It meant that he was meeting her needs.

It’s often tempting to talk all the time about your goals, plans, and vision. There is a time and a place for this to happen. Your enthusiasm is admirable, but are you overwhelming the listener?

Work on being the listener. Listen to team member or customer concerns.

How can you solve these problems for them?

· Do they feel valued?

Are you considering the ideas of your team members as part of the overall plan?

Are you listening to your customer’s needs?

How can you use this knowledge to help them?

Key #3 – Act

As I worked through each module, I made sure to include comments and suggestions from team members. At the end of each one, I asked for their comments.

In turn, they took ownership of the modules and saw the value of using them to help them in their roles.

Listening and communicating are important. However, if he does not act on information and concerns, he will not be seen as proactive in achieving results. He solicits input and feedback from his team members and the client.

Benefits of working this way

By using the 3 keys:

Team members willingly shared useful information

The new team members were able to improve quickly

Existing team members were able to increase their own abilities.

How have you gained commitment and trust in your working relationships?