Hey yall! For HR executives, trust and credibility are our most valuable yet vulnerable assets. They take years to earn and seconds to loose. Taking a checklist approach this week, ask yourself, “Do you still have yours?”
HR Foundations: The Importance of Trust and Credibility
Trust and credibility are interconnected: demonstrating trustworthiness enhances credibility, which, in turn, fosters trust.
However, trust and credibility can be quickly damaged. You loose trust by:
- Breaching confidentiality (knowing and unknowingly)
- Inconsistent policy application
- Failing to follow through on commitments
- Avoiding difficult conversations
- Appearing to play favorites
In turn, credibility is lost by:
- Lack of visibility or engagement
- Poor communication skills
- Inconsistency between words and actions
- Inability to influence decisions
- Lack of business acumen
So, how do you rebuild them? Do this:
1. Own your Mistakes: Acknowledge apologize, and outline prevention measures.
2. Increase Transparency: Share information openly when possible.
3. Be Consistent: Align actions with words and apply policies evenly.
4. Engage: Be visible and available through regular check-ins.
5. Deliver: Under-promise and over-deliver.
6. Upskill: Improve communication, business acumen, and HR expertise.
7. Seek Feedback: Ask for input and act on it.
Remember, building trust and credibility is an ongoing process. To level up and harness the power these two bring:
- Practice Radical Candor: Be honest and empathetic in communications.
- Stay Ethical: Always take the high road.
- Be a Continuous Learner: Stay updated on industry trends.
- Measure Trust: Regularly assess trust levels through surveys.
- Celebrate Successes: Recognize behaviors that build trust.
Organizations with high trust levels are more productive, engaged, and profitable. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, such companies are 2.5 times more likely to perform well. With awareness, effort, and the right strategies, we can create strong foundations of trust and credibility that withstand all of HR challenges. Share your experiences with trust and credibility in the comments—let's learn from each other and elevate our two most valuable assets together!
#HRLeadership #TrustInHR #CredibilityMatters #ProfessionalGrowth #AdrinaWalker