It is 2024 and we are in the “Year of Values“. The whole of virtual7 lives and loves the company values. All of virtual7? No, you still have to explain and exemplify everything to a little grump. His name is Nörglerix and I’m happy to try to give him a better understanding of the first value at the end of the first quarter.
This first value of the year, “Strive for Clarity”, continues: “We communicate transparently and directly. This is how we create trust.” Nörglerix asks what this is good for and why we need it. Phew. Okay.
What is trust?
Trust is a fundamental element in all types of interpersonal relationships. Whether in the family, at work, in friendships or in romantic partnerships – trust is the good organic fertilizer from the farm store. Without trust, relationships cannot flourish. But what exactly does trust mean and why is it so important? It is the feeling of security and confidence that you have in someone or something. It is the subjective and emotionally colored conviction that the other person is honest, reliable and competent. Trust allows us to make ourselves vulnerable and rely on others. Without trust, we would be constantly suspicious, which can lead to stress, tension and ultimately the breakdown of relationships. I mean, would you trust someone who told you not to trust anyone? Even in a tight-knit community of rocker groups that wear the motto “TRUST NOBODY®” on their shirts, a relationship of trust automatically arises because interpersonal relationships simply don’t work without trust. Without trust, there is no “comradeship” and no “brotherhood”. Or “sisterhood”.
Trust creates cohesion
Denn in persönlichen Beziehungen ist Vertrauen der Superkleber und das Gaffa Tape, die die Bindungen zwischen den Menschen zusammenhalten. Wenn wir jemandem vertrauen, fühlen wir uns wohl dabei, unsere Gedanken, Gefühle und Bedürfnisse zu teilen. Wir wissen, dass die andere Person unsere Interessen berücksichtigt und respektiert. Dies schafft ein Gefühl der Verbundenheit und Intimität, was wiederum die Beziehung stärkt.
Nörglerix fragt, was das denn nun mit virtual7 zu tun hat. Wir seien doch keine Motorrad-Gang. OK, dann komme ich halt ohne weitere Metaphern zur Sache. Im beruflichen Umfeld ist Vertrauen entscheidend für eine effektive Zusammenarbeit. Mitarbeiter:innen, die ihren Kolleg:innen vertrauen, arbeiten besser zusammen, teilen Wissen und Ideen und fühlen sich motivierter, ihr Bestes zu geben. Einer Umfrage von „Great Place To Work“ zufolge sind Millenials 22-mal mehr dazu bereit, in einem Unternehmen zu bleiben, bei welcher Vertrauen einen hohen Stellenwert hat. (https://greatplacetowork.com.hk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2018_millennials_report_3.0.pdf) Ein Mangel an Vertrauen kann hingegen zu einem toxischen Arbeitsumfeld führen, in dem Misstrauen, Konflikte und eine geringe Arbeitsmoral herrschen.
How do you build trust?
It takes time, consistency and honesty. Through consistent behavior that matches our words, we can gain the trust of others. “We walk the talk.” OK, that already preempts another value, but you can’t and shouldn’t clearly separate our four values anyway.
It is also important to be honest, even if it is unpleasant. Lying or concealing information destroys trust faster than anything else. That’s why we have built transparency so high up in our corporate culture. Without transparency and trust, there is no responsiveness. The personal responsibility that determines your work every day, dear Nörglerix, requires trust – otherwise you would end up being under observation all the time. In a world characterized by uncertainty and mistrust, it is more important than ever to build and maintain trust. By placing trust in others and being trustworthy ourselves, we can build strong, supportive relationships that will carry us through the challenges of everyday life. This applies to your four walls and your family – hey, even your dog has to trust you or he’ll run away or bite you – as well as your professional environment. Nöglerix nods quietly in agreement. I think he understands.
