Building trust costs nothing, but the lack of it is costly

Trust can be hard to gain – and easy to lose. It is everyone's own choice whether they want to waste resources on a lack of trust or make people and operations flourish with the help of strong trust.

Trust is one of the most significant factors that affects the success of work communities and networks. It serves as the basis for effective cooperation, open communication and long-term commitment.

In a work community, trust creates the basis for organizational efficiency. When employees trust each other and their superiors, they dare to share their thoughts, ideas and concerns openly. This creates an atmosphere where problems can be solved quickly and innovatively. In addition, trust allows employees to do their work more independently, knowing that their input is valued and that they have the support they need.

For managers, trust is a key factor in how they can inspire and motivate their employees. A leader should build trust, listen to his team members, show empathy and act consistently. This kind of management style usually increases people's satisfaction and commitment to the organization and its goals.

This is how trust is built

Trust can be created in a work community with the help of three building blocks:

Openness and transparency: Open communication and information sharing within the organization create a solid foundation for trust. When employees are informed and understand the decision-making processes, their trust in management and colleagues increases.

Fairness and equality: By treating employees fairly and equally, the organization ensures that everyone feels valued and accepted. This reduces mistrust and increases mutual respect among employees.

Providing support and giving responsibility: When leaders show confidence in their employees' abilities and give them responsibility, employees feel empowered and motivated. It is also important to provide the necessary support and resources so that employees can succeed in their tasks and develop professionally. This combination of trust and support strengthens the cohesion and efficiency of the work community.

Trust also plays a key role in networks, whether it is business life, expert networks or other forms of cooperation. In networks, the relationships between actors can be complex and decentralized, but only through trust can these relationships become strong and sustainable.

Trust determines how well different parties can cooperate, share information and achieve common goals.

What happens when there is no trust?

When trust is lacking, problems arise in the work community and networks, which can negatively affect both individuals and the organization more broadly.

In the work community, mistrust often leads to a bad atmosphere, increased stress and reduced productivity. In networks, a lack of trust can prevent the flow of information, slow down decision-making and weaken opportunities for innovative cooperation.

Lack of trust tends to feed on itself: if one member does not trust another, the mistrust easily spreads to others as well. This can lead to a negative cycle where cooperation and communication deteriorate even further. Building trust takes time and commitment, but it is essential for team effectiveness and well-being.

Trust is a strong glue for work communities and networks

Trust is a key factor in the success of both work communities and networks. It not only enables smooth collaboration and communication, but also helps create an atmosphere where ideas and growth can flourish. Trust is built over time through openness, fairness and mutual respect – and maintaining it requires constant effort.

In working life and networks, it is important to remember that although trust can sometimes be difficult to achieve, its benefits are considerable. Trust enables the open sharing of information and reduces unnecessary conflicts. When network members trust each other, they are more willing to invest their resources, such as their time, expertise and contacts, to achieve common goals.

Sharing information is a key part of how networks work, and without trust this exchange of information can suffer. When trust is strong, both individuals and organizations can achieve much more together than alone.

An old African saying says it: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

People's well-being is the basis for awarding the site of the year

In Rakennuslehti's Site of the Year competition, Rakennus oy Antti J. Ahola's Säätytalo renovation site won especially thanks to management and work well-being. Well-being and psychological safety were emphasized at the construction site, which created a strong foundation for trust and cooperation. The winning site also had an occupational well-being expert who helped prevent conflicts and support employees' job satisfaction. Tommi Nick, the responsible foreman of the site, and Selja Flink, the construction manager of the Senate, believe that the prerequisite for all high-quality operations is that people feel good.