Trust and care are inter-related concepts. But why are they important in the workplace? Trust – that’s an obvious one – to create a synergistic team where you can ‘trust’ your delegates to do a job well. And, your delegates trust you to guide them and appreciate their work.
But, what about care?
If we talk broadly, 30 years back, reputation ruled over salary, 20 years back, salary started taking more weightage, 10 years back, perks became more important, but at this time, the trend is shifting towards ‘Care’.
Caring for your team will help you win their trust. Whether it is a virtual team or the people you work with face-to-face, even the smallest of gestures can help you develop a cohesive team and ensure a positive work environment.
I have observed that encouraging the team to congratulate a teammate, even for a minor achievement, increases the positive vibe at the workplace. Caring genuinely for your teammates, peers and subordinates has the power to transcend your organization from a workplace to a family. Sorry, not family. Family has unconditional love between the members, whereas, in a workplace, we are associated with each other through responsibilities.
For example, just arranging a birthday cake for a colleague is not care. However, finding out what flavor of cake they like, any specific bakery they prefer, or bringing them a present, even when it is not their birthday, which is something they love or have been looking for – is care. It is, in short, care means thinking about your team and looking out for them at all times.
I have seen businesses with an open-door policy, where employees of any band or rank could walk in a senior leader’s office to discuss issues or grievances, fare better in terms of productivity and efficiency. Also, a lot of people say that they care. Here, just saying does not create the feeling. For example, sending an email to everyone saying they can reach you anytime, will not make people contact you. You have to first go closer to them and show them that you are available rather than just ‘tell’.
‘It’s a good feeling, to be cared for, irrespective of the position you hold in your organization. Eliminate workplace insecurities by promoting a culture of trust and care.’
To Dos:
Try to shortlist 5-10 people in your team and figure out what they are passionate about – Books? Cricket? Football? Movies? Calligraphy? Sketching? Running? Dancing? Exercising? Once you have figured that out, try to relate your life with something that they are crazy about. If you saw a movie that you loved, talk to them about it. If you received a recommendation for a great book, buy one for them. If you saw a great calligraphic pen while shopping for yourself, get onlte for them. If you are buying something for your kid, do any of the members in your team have a child who would enjoy the same toy?
Yes, you may think there is money involved, but thinking about your team all the time is more important than money.
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