Then here are three simple, super practical tips on how to build more trust with your team:
1. Firstly, only cancel them if there really is an emergency and be as transparent as possible about it, for example: "Hey Sam, I am so sorry but I now have to take our dog to vet who's becoming really unwell over night. Please bear with me and I'll find us a new slot when I'm back at my desk later if that's okay?"
That's right - it's YOUR responsibility to reschedule, not your team's.
I (more often than I'd like to) get employees saying their manager keeps cancelling and expects them, the employee, to find some time to reschedule in their calendar.
The audacity of that, right?
2. Secondly, if I, the employee want to cancel/skip e.g. by saying: "Hey Sam, don't worry about our 121 today, I'm happy to catch up properly next time. I've got so much ony plate this week and a few things to finish anyway."
How about responding with: "Hey Meike. I understand but it would still be great to have a chat, even for a few minutes - I just want to check in. A phone call would do if that's the easiest?"
Guess what - I've just shared I have a lot on my plate.
Maybe that's an amber warning?
Maybe not everything on that plate should be mine?
3. Thirdly, how about a walk-and-talk with each team member once in a while?
Since my wife and I have our dog, we noticed how weirdly different our conversations on the dog walks sometimes are. We arrive at the most peculiar, interesting topics.
It's helpful for everyone, including people with neurodiversities, and just a great break for overall mental health and wellbeing - theirs and your own.
Support a local café and just have a little walk around the block...or car park or whatever is around.
This could be the difference of someone opening up about something, finding courage to challenge something and feeling more trusting towards to you in general.
I hope this resonates with some of you, please add other ideas and great practices in the comments!
For more information on how I could support you and your team, check out: www.claritywrks.com
Experienced consultant passionate about people. I help organisations reduce the hidden costs of workplace conflict, employee turnover and tribunal risk by addressing what’s really getting in the way…
