In thriving healthcare organizations, trusting relationships are a foundational piece of the culture. Trust is mutual: we tend to trust people who also trust us. That’s why one of the best ways for leaders to build trust is to show trust.

Here is an action that demonstrates trust:

When working on a problem, ask employees for help. Share a situation or a challenge and ask employees “What do you think?” Some people will need more time. Ask them to think about the situation or challenge and get back with you. When a person brings a problem to you, before giving your thoughts ask the person or group what they recommend.

An example: Lately, supplies on the med/surg unit keep running low. This is creating patient issues and extra work and delays for the staff. As the manager came on the unit, staff members said: “We keep running low on certain supplies.” Instead of giving a solution, the manager asked the staff, “What do you recommend?” The staff discussed the situation and came to the manager with adjusted inventory levels based on the increased number of patients. By responding this way to the challenge, the manager showed trust and confidence.

Another item is to share your thoughts and say, “I may be missing something or seeing this wrong. I would appreciate your feedback on it. What do you think?”

Asking employees their opinion shows that you trust and value their input. They often have great ideas (this makes sense as they are closest to the action), and when you implement them, you naturally get good buy-in. It also encourages the kind of innovative thinking that’s a must in our rapidly changing industry.

Check out The Human Margin: Building the Foundations of Trust for  more tips and tactics you can put into practice right away.