Being Dependable Even When Your Boss Doesn’t Seem to Trust You

Being trusted at work matters. It makes you feel good about the job you’re doing, and can also help ensure your job security.

However, a recent Slack survey reported that 25% of U.S. employees say they don’t feel trusted at their workplaces.

There are signs. Your boss doesn’t ask your opinion on things. They scrutinize every little detail. Maybe you work remotely and they seem to randomly message or call you to see if you’re really there.

In the age of remote and hybrid work, the way we build business relationships has changed – but our desire to be trusted and to trust those we work with hasn’t. So, what can you do if you don’t feel that your boss trusts you?
 

What is trust and how does it form in the workplace?

Trust is a mental shortcut. We’re often vulnerable to the actions of others; so, we’re constantly predicting (either intuitively or in a more intentional way) who we can count on, while at the same time knowing that the other person has needs and desires that might be different from, or even counter to ours.

Trust alleviates the mind’s cognitive prediction load. When we trust, we don’t have to make these mental calculations as often. But it’s a balance. There’s obvious risk in getting it wrong.

And it varies by person. Some people are more trusting than others.

Bosses vary.  Some want to be close to the action and know what’s going on as it’s happening. Some place different weight on certain actions (strict deadlines or adherence to specific systems). So, for one boss, missing the deadline by a day won’t matter. For another, it might.  

It also varies by situation. Sometimes the stakes are higher (what you stand to lose may be bigger or smaller).

At work, assignments vary. If you or your boss are new, they will likely keep a tighter watch. A new venture or project will also draw the spotlight on your work (along with that feeling that details are being scrutinized). It’s up to you to understand the expectations and how to communicate best.
 

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Developing trust with your boss

What ultimately matters for trust to emerge is that individuals are meeting the expectations set for them, thereby freeing their bosses from having to constantly check.

Three key things can help in your quest to build trust at work:

1. Understand expectations.

   When are projects due? Are there checkpoints along the way? What are the quality expectations? What’s an example of something your boss considers good work?  If you don’t know the expectations, ask. If you’re going to miss a deadline or quality is slipping, talk these things through early with your boss.

2. Communicate often.

   It’s easy to assume no news is good news. Instead, consider that familiarity breeds trust. So, when you start a job, ask for regular meetings where you can give updates, ask questions and get to know each other and learn about your boss’s priorities. They can then learn the same for you.

3. Consistently deliver.

   Following the rules, hitting deadlines, exceeding expectations – these actions give your boss evidence of your reliability. They form the foundation for trust at work. If your goal is to have more autonomy in your job, it starts with trust and that means first delivering on your current assignments.

Being trusted at work makes you feel good. And it’s important for your career.

If you don’t feel trusted, take ownership of that feeling and be proactive about fixing it. Make every effort to strengthen your relationship with your boss. Increase your communication and your understanding of what’s expected. Then deliver consistently.
 

Since 1989, SkillPath has provided strategic and innovative training solutions to companies and businesspeople around the world. Let us customize one of our many live, virtual seminars for your group or organization, or find out more about our employee learning platform, the SkillPath LXP.