Trust is the cornerstone upon which successful organizations & successful careers are built.

In the world of business and life in general, trust is the cornerstone upon which successful organizations and successful careers are built. It is an essential attribute for any business owner, guiding their interactions with employees, clients, and stakeholders. As a vertically minded, Christian business owner, trust takes on even greater significance, as it aligns with the values of the Kingdom and our faith. My dad always encouraged my brother and I to “do what you say you’re gonna do”.

Integrity matters in every context of life. Building trust and being someone that people will follow requires integrity and integrity will lead back to trust from those around you. It’s a cycle. In this article, we will explore why trust is a key leadership attribute and how it can help you build a strong business. A trusting environment is key to attracting and retaining good people and good people are the core of any successful business.

Trust Builds Strong Relationships

Relationships are the bedrock of good business. If you can’t build solid relationships, you’re going to struggle in business…hard stop. And trust forms the foundation of healthy and strong relationships. As a business owner, fostering trust among your team members and clients creates an environment of openness, collaboration, and respect. By demonstrating trustworthiness in your actions, you inspire others to reciprocate, resulting in increased loyalty and commitment. Conversely, just one simple violation of trust can be hard to recover from. People have excellent memories of when their trust has been violated. As much as humanly possible work to build trust in every interaction you have.

In the Bible, trust is emphasized as a vital aspect of relationships.  Our relationship with God is built on faith and trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourage believers to trust in the Lord with all their hearts and lean not on their own understanding.  We’re wired for it. Trust is an inherent, creation designed attribute because we were made to trust God. Our sin breaks that relationship but ultimately, we’re all wanting and desiring to trust God and the people around us.

Solid levels of trust create a great work environment that encourages employee loyalty and productivity.

Trust Enhances Transparency and Integrity

Transparency is a crucial element of leadership that results in trust. I can tell you from years of experience employees thrive on transparency. When people feel like they’re in the dark they have a hard time trusting their future at a company. But on the flip side of that, employees will actually weather a lot of hard times with you if they’re communicated with and know the state of the business they’re working for.  When employees and stakeholders trust their leaders, they feel confident that decisions are made with integrity and in the best interest of the organization, even when things are hard. Transparency and trust have a symbiotic relationship that creates a bond between you and your people.

As Christian business owners, we are called to walk in integrity and be people of truth. Psalm 15:2 reminds us that those who speak the truth and keep their promises are welcome in the Kingdom. By embodying this principle in our leadership, we emulate the Kingdom which is going to be attractive to the people who work for you. 

Trust Fosters Innovation and Collaboration

In a business environment, trust allows for open communication and collaboration. When team members trust their leader, they are more likely to share ideas, take calculated risks, and work together towards a common goal. This environment of trust nurtures innovation and creative problem-solving, as individuals feel safe to express their thoughts and contribute to the organization's growth. When people don’t trust the leadership within the organization, they spend a LOT of time thinking about, talking about it and probably sharing with others about it. It creates distraction and drama which undermines innovation and collaboration and progress. If you create an organization full of trust people are free to not worry about the state of things and put their mind on moving the company forward. 

As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the talents and resources entrusted to us.  Creating the most effective and efficient work environment for our people is part of stewarding that resource. If your work environment is toxic and ultimately untrustworthy, people will not see the Kingdom in your business and will not thrive and the resources you’ve been given in them will not be used well. By fostering an environment of trust, we align our leadership style with God's desire for us to utilize the diverse skills of His people through collaboration and close relationships.

As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the talents & resources entrusted to us.

Trust Inspires Loyalty and Employee Well-being

Trust is a fundamental driver of employee satisfaction and well-being. When employees trust their leaders, they feel valued and supported, leading to increased job satisfaction and a sense of well-being in their life. Your people give a third of their life (or more) to your business. It’s vitally important that we recognize that and give people a place where they can flourish. When your people go home are they stressed, confused, and mentally exhausted from wondering about all the unknowns in your organization? Or do they leave feeling clear and confident and rewarded. The latter will give them a sense of well-being and peace that they will consciously tie to you being at your company. And that’s a huge feather in the cap of your business. People will want to work for you if people just feel better about themselves by being in your sphere.

In the Christian faith, we are called to love one another as Christ has loved us.

Demonstrating trust in our interactions with employees not only enhances their well-being but also reflects Christ's love and care for His people. By fostering an environment of trust, we create a workplace where individuals can thrive holistically, both professionally and personally.

Be the Leader You Want to Be

If you haven’t gotten it yet, trust is simply paramount for you to foster. Period. Be that man. Be that woman. Be the person people look to as trustworthy. Be a person of character. It’s an indispensable leadership attribute for any business owner, and as Christian business owners, we have the unique opportunity to integrate our faith into our leadership practices. By embracing trust as a guiding principle, we build strong relationships, enhance transparency and integrity, foster innovation, and collaboration, and inspire loyalty and employee well-being. I don’t know many vertically minded business owners who wouldn’t want all those things to be said about their company and them personally. 

As we navigate the complexities of the business world, let us remember the words of Proverbs 3:6, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." By placing our trust in God and leading with trust in our hearts, we can create an environment that stands out from the world and stands out from any other place your people have worked. That’s a powerful place to start conversations with people about what really matters.