Last updated on Jun 11, 2024

Here's how you can establish trust and credibility with employees in Strategic Communications.

In the realm of strategic communications, establishing trust and credibility with your employees is not just beneficial; it's essential. As a leader, your ability to communicate effectively is directly linked to how your team perceives you and, by extension, the entire organization. To foster a trusting environment, you must demonstrate transparency, consistency, and a genuine understanding of your team's needs and concerns. By doing so, you create a foundation for open dialogue, where employees feel valued and heard, paving the way for a more engaged and committed workforce.

1 Be Transparent

Transparency is the cornerstone of trust. When communicating with employees, be as open as possible about company decisions, challenges, and future plans. This doesn't mean revealing sensitive information, but rather sharing enough to make them feel included and respected. Explain the 'why' behind decisions to help them understand the bigger picture. When employees feel they're in the loop, they're more likely to trust the messages you send and stand behind the organization's vision.

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Nabilah Tarin

📢 Communications and Marketing Expert | 🚨 Private Consultations Available! | 💚 Sustainability and NGOs
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Leadership is a learning curve, and for me, transparency was a game-changer. It wasn't always easy. There were times when the answer wasn't readily available, or the situation felt complex. But shying away from these moments only bred confusion and eroded trust. A simple "I don't know, but I'll find out" became a turning point. It opened the door to honest conversations, replacing assumptions with a shared understanding of the situation. When employees see the bigger picture, their engagement skyrockets, which acts as a bridge to a motivated and mission-driven workforce. Employees who feel informed and respected become brand advocates, not only trusting your messages but also standing firmly behind the company's vision.

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Paula Namur Yunis

Directora de comunicaciones en Vinculación
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Las comunicaciones claras son el pilar de la construcción de la confianza de las empresas con sus stakeholders, y por eso es muy importante ser transparentes y coherentes. Un reciente estudio de PwC confirmó para Chile los resultados obtenidos en EEUU: tanto para los colaboradores como para los consumidores las comunicaciones claras son el principal motor de la confianza.

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2 Show Consistency

Consistency in your messaging reinforces reliability. Ensure that what you communicate aligns with the company's actions and values. If your words and deeds don't match, employees will quickly lose faith in your leadership. Regular communication is also key; it shouldn't be a one-off event. Schedule frequent updates and stick to them. This routine helps employees know what to expect and builds a rhythm of trust over time.

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Liz Weaver, ACC

Communications Director | Certified Career Development Coach | Helping communications professionals write their next chapter
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Whether you are communicating across digital channels, hosting town halls or providing messaging for your front-line leaders, consistency is everything. When we were announcing changes to our COVID policies, we always started with the CEO's email as key document from which all other variations took their tone and content from. Usually directly. We wanted employees to know that our leadership was united and focused.

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3 Listen Actively

Active listening is a powerful tool in strategic communications. When you listen to your employees, you not only gather valuable insights but also show that you value their input. Encourage feedback and genuinely consider their ideas and concerns. By engaging in two-way communication, you demonstrate that you're not just dictating policy but are willing to adapt and collaborate based on their feedback, which can significantly enhance trust.

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Maria Doyle
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Many of us work from home and love it, but it is great to schedule a real face-to-face meeting now and then and fully listen. Take a team member out to lunch for a focused one-on-one conversation about an important topic. (And, let them know in advance it's not a bad thing!)

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4 Personalize Messages

Personalizing your communication can significantly impact how messages are received. Understand that employees have diverse roles and concerns. Tailor your messages to address specific departments or teams, acknowledging their unique contributions and challenges. This level of personalization shows that you recognize and appreciate their individual efforts, which can foster a deeper sense of trust and credibility.

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5 Uphold Integrity

Integrity should be the foundation of all your communications. Be honest and ethical in all your interactions. If mistakes are made, own up to them and share how you plan to address the issue. Employees respect leaders who can admit faults and are committed to rectifying them. This honesty not only builds trust but also sets a standard for the entire organization to follow.

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6 Empower Employees

Finally, empowering your employees is a testament to your trust in them. Provide opportunities for them to contribute to decision-making and take on leadership roles within projects. When employees feel empowered, they're more invested in the organization's success. Your belief in their capabilities can boost their confidence and trust in your leadership, creating a positive cycle of engagement and credibility.

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Maria Doyle
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Make sure to give team members all the info needed to do a job correctly. Walk them through it, answer questions - then empower them to move forward and let them know you have their back.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can establish trust and credibility with employees in Strategic Communications.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Be Transparent

2 Show Consistency

3 Listen Actively

4 Personalize Messages

5 Uphold Integrity

6 Empower Employees

7 Here’s what else to consider

Strategic Communications

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Here's how you can establish trust and credibility with employees in Strategic Communications.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Be Transparent

2 Show Consistency

3 Listen Actively

4 Personalize Messages

5 Uphold Integrity

6 Empower Employees

7 Here’s what else to consider

Strategic Communications

Rate this article

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