Trust isn't a "nice-to-have" in the workplace—it’s a business imperative. When employees trust leadership and leadership trusts employees, organizations thrive. According to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, 79% of employees say they trust their employer—a higher trust level than government, media, or NGOs. Trust is now one of the strongest competitive advantages a company can build.
Trust fuels employee engagement, innovation, and retention. It drives collaboration and ultimately, performance. If you're looking to strengthen trust within your organization, here are three essential strategies:
1. Involve Employees in Decisions That Affect Them
Empowering employees to have a voice in decisions that impact their day-to-day work builds mutual respect. While not every decision requires full team input, seeking feedback on processes, tools, or policy changes demonstrates confidence in your team's capabilities.
In fact, Gallup research shows that employees who feel their voice is heard are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best work.
2. Practice Transparency and Consistency
Clear, consistent communication from leadership builds predictability and reduces uncertainty. Whether it's sharing the rationale behind decisions, financial updates, or future plans, transparency helps employees feel informed, included, and trusted.
Organizations that prioritize transparency tend to have stronger cultures. A recent study found that companies with high levels of transparency report 30% higher retention rates.
3. Prioritize Human Connection
Trust thrives in relationships, not just policies. When managers actively listen, check in regularly, and show genuine interest in their teams, employees feel valued beyond their output. And that emotional connection matters.
According to a 2023 report by Workhuman and Gallup, when employees feel recognized and connected, they’re five times as likely to see a path to growth at their company and four times as likely to be engaged.
Building Trust with Recognition
Recognition is one of the simplest yet most powerful tools to reinforce trust. By celebrating wins—big or small—leaders reinforce a culture where employees feel seen and appreciated. The Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform makes it easy to deliver meaningful, personalized rewards and recognition at scale. Whether you're acknowledging outstanding performance, celebrating milestones, or reinforcing values, the Engage2Reward Platform lets you do it with the flexibility of physical and digital gift cards from top brands.
Schedule a call with our team to learn more about how the Engage2Reward Platform can help you build a culture of trust and engagement.
