Looking to spark a trust-building conversation with someone you lead? Start with a question. Asking (not telling) builds rapport, fosters psychological safety, and makes people feel heard and valued. It’s a great way to show them you care about their thoughts and ideas.
In the book I wrote in collaboration with Dr. Katherine Meese–The Human Margin: Building the Foundations of Trust—we share a list of trust-building questions leaders can ask during rounding and at other times. Here are just a few of them:
What worries you the most? (Don’t assume you know.) In many cases you’ll find that it’s something you can fix, or at least get started fixing. This is huge anxiety reducer for employees.
How can I support you in your role? What does support from me look like? Again, you’re showing the employee you care and want to make their job and life better.
What are your professional goals, and how can I help you achieve them? Are there additional trainings or resources to which you’d like to have access? Both questions show you’re committed to the person’s development—which really matters to the current generation of healthcare talent.
For more trust-building questions, I invite you to read The Human Margin. I’d love to hear what questions are working well for you!
