This chapter delves into the concept of trust and integrity, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing broken trust while crafting a trustworthy impression. It explores the three key elements of trust: competence, benevolence, and integrity, discussing the challenges of building and repairing trust in both personal and work relationships. The conversation also touches on how gender dynamics can influence perceptions of trustworthiness, particularly for women in balancing competence and likability.
Trust smooths the way for collaboration, conflict resolution, and influence. But how do you build this asset? And how do you repair it when you’ve missed a series of important deadlines or otherwise messed up?
Organizational psychologist Ruchi Sinha talks with a listener who’s struggling to restore skeptics’ confidence in her and her team. Ruchi shares the three elements of trust and how to convey each one. She also offers advice on what to do if you’ve failed to acknowledge a broken promise and how to communicate practically when confidentiality prevents you from being totally transparent.
Guest expert:
Ruchi Sinha is an associate professor of organizational behavior at the University of South Australia Business School. Her research explores how voice, conflict, and power dynamics influence work relationships and performance outcomes.
Resources:
Sign up for the Women at Work newsletter.
Email us: womenatwork@hbr.org