How Important is Trust?

I have read many books on leadership and many of them stress the importance of trust in relationships. This can be particularly difficult in the workplace. How do you know who you can trust to watch your back, support your position, even to confront you when you might be over the line?

There is a difference between a professional trusting relationship and friendship. Do not make this mistake. You must maintain professional distance in workplace relationships. This is the way to maintain your objectivity. In the workplace, misplaced trust can be a career ending move. There are reasons that people talk about people working in a cutthroat atmosphere or seeing others climb to the top over other people.

So, how do you protect yourself but develop solid relationships in the workplace? First, you must remain integrity bound. Ensure that you can be trusted first. Next, choose your words carefully when sharing important information about your job, yourself, or sensitive information.
Finally, remember your relationships reflect back what you put into them. Trust is earned and that is both ways!