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Do You Trust Your Boss?

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If you don’t trust your boss, you aren’t the only one. Only 40 percent of workers say that they have a high level of trust in their manager, according to a study from Interaction Associates, based on surveys of more than 500 employees at companies worldwide.

(Photo Credit: Kumar Appaiah/Flickr)

The definition of trust for the study was, “the willingness to accept personal risk based on another person’s actions.” Research says trust in businesses is steadily declining. More than 25 percent of those surveyed trust their boss less this year than in 2013.

Do You Know What You're Worth?

This trend doesn’t hold true for co-workers, however. Some 54 percent report feeling safe communicating their ideas and opinions to colleagues and peers. Interaction Associates’ CEO, Linda Stewart said in a statement, “The results are alarming, especially in light of the importance people place on trusting their leadership — some 82 percent of all respondents say that trusting their boss is essential for them to be effective in their job.”

Companies with a higher level of trust are 2.5 times more likely to be leaders in revenue growth and will also outperform in achieving key business goals, competitive market position, ethical behavior and actions, and financial results. Key business goals would include customer loyalty and retention, both important for company growth.

If you’re currently a manager concerned with trust issues in your own company, you could try better and more transparent communication, including asking for an employee’s input regarding decisions that affect them and giving your employees information about why you’re making a specific business decision. If you’ve made mistakes, admit it and don’t make an employee feel bad about raising concerns. Try spending time together outside of work and make it a goal to behave consistently going forward.

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Do you trust your boss? We want to hear from you! Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter.


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mchrisman5
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mchrisman5

I can fully understand why there is declining in employee and management trust. I’m middle aged and I’ve seen a few things happen in the workplace. Back in the mid nineties, businesses started cutting benefits and pay of employees. Up until this point, the way things were negotiated was through unions and if they couldn’t reach a mutual decision, the employees would strike. Then congress made things very easy for companies to go to other countries due to international trade.… Read more »

Lisa
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Lisa

I think when people don’t get their way they automatically want to scream trust issues with the boss. I believe in transparency and asking for opinions however every decision a boss makes doesn’t need a group think or group vote. Nothing would get done that is why bosses get their jobs being able to make the hard decisions sometimes. Also the spending time away from work. Business is business not business is social. I agree with an occasional lunch or… Read more »

Tulua
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Tulua

When i first started in this big corporate company i truster my first manager he was asian or chinese anyway i could trust him. I also had another great woman manager samoan she was trust worthy. Than i had a fijian manager she was terrible power trip bully beecause i challenged her in how she approached me every manager there after which were her friends were horrible and not trust worthy. Not only they were not trust worthy they were… Read more »

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