Starting a new job, joining a team, or learning to work with different people can feel daunting. You may wonder how to make a good impression, earn respect, or feel confident speaking up. One of the most important foundations for a positive working environment is trust. You can explore IM MORE to learn more about building confidence and developing skills for your future. Building trust in the workplace is an essential skill that helps employees develop positive relationships and feel more confident in their roles.
Why Trust Matters at Work
Trust helps people work together, communicate honestly, ask for help, and feel more confident sharing ideas. When colleagues trust one another, it can be easier to solve problems, learn from mistakes, and work towards shared goals. Trust does not appear overnight; it develops through everyday actions and the way people treat one another.
For young adults entering the workplace, building trust can be especially valuable. You might be starting your first job, joining an apprenticeship, beginning a placement, or working with a team for the first time. You do not need to know everything straight away. Showing that you are willing to learn, communicate, and take responsibility can make a real difference. The National Careers Service provides useful career guidance and advice for people preparing to enter employment.
1. Do What You Say You Will Do
One of the simplest ways to build trust is to follow through on your commitments. If you agree to complete a task, make a genuine effort to finish it by the agreed deadline. If you are unsure how to do something, ask questions early rather than pretending you understand. Reliability plays an important role in building trust in the workplace, as colleagues need to know they can depend on one another.
For example, imagine a colleague asks you to prepare information for a meeting. If you realise you may not finish on time, let them know as soon as possible and explain what support or extra time you need. Being reliable does not mean never making a mistake; it means communicating honestly and taking responsibility.
Try this:
- Keep track of tasks and deadlines.
- Only make promises you can reasonably keep.
- Tell the right person early if plans change.
- Follow up when you have completed a task.
2. Communicate Openly and Respectfully
Good communication helps prevent misunderstandings. Listen carefully, ask questions when something is unclear, and speak to people with respect even when you disagree. You do not have to share every thought or personal detail to communicate well. The aim is to be clear, considerate, and honest about work-related matters.
If you receive instructions you do not understand, you could say: “I want to make sure I get this right. Could you explain which part you would like me to prioritise?” Asking for clarification shows that you care about doing the job properly.
Try this:
- Listen without interrupting.
- Ask for clarification instead of making assumptions.
- Give feedback in a constructive way.
- Choose an appropriate time and place for difficult conversations.
3. Be Honest and Take Responsibility
Everyone makes mistakes, especially when learning something new. Hiding a mistake or blaming someone else can damage trust, while acknowledging what happened gives you a chance to put things right. Explain the situation clearly, focus on what can be done next, and learn from the experience.
For instance, if you send a document with incorrect information, tell the relevant person promptly, correct it, and check whether anyone else needs the updated version. Taking responsibility helps show that you can be relied upon.
Remember: accountability is not about being perfect. It is about being honest, learning, and making a reasonable effort to improve.
4. Respect Confidentiality and Other People’s Boundaries
Trust can be weakened when private conversations, personal information, or sensitive workplace details are shared carelessly. Think before passing on information, and follow your organisation’s policies about confidentiality and data protection. If you are not sure whether something should be shared, check with an appropriate manager. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) provides guidance on handling personal information and understanding data protection responsibilities.
Respect also means recognising that colleagues have different personalities, experiences, responsibilities, and boundaries. Be friendly without pressuring people to share personal information, and avoid joining in with gossip that could harm someone.
5. Show Respect and Include Others
Small actions can influence whether people feel respected and valued. Acknowledge colleagues’ contributions, give others time to speak, and treat people fairly regardless of their role or level of experience. You may not agree with everyone, but you can still be professional and considerate.
If a quieter team member has not had a chance to contribute during a discussion, you might ask whether they would like to add anything. This helps create space for different perspectives without putting anyone under pressure.
Ways to show respect:
- Arrive prepared and be considerate of other people’s time.
- Recognise help and give credit where it is due.
- Avoid assumptions about people you do not know well.
- Respond to differences of opinion calmly and professionally.
6. Be Willing to Learn and Accept Feedback
Trust grows when people can see that you are open to learning. Feedback may sometimes feel uncomfortable, but it can help you understand what is working and what you could do differently. Listen to the feedback, ask for a specific example if needed, and decide what practical step you can take next.
You could say: “Thank you for explaining that. Could you give me an example of how I could approach it next time?” You can also share your own ideas respectfully and ask for feedback on your progress.
Being open to feedback does not mean you must accept unfair, inappropriate, or disrespectful treatment. You can ask questions, seek a second opinion, or use the appropriate workplace process if a concern needs to be addressed. You can also explore IM MORE’s personal development articles in The Voice for further guidance on confidence and self-belief.
7. Build Trust Through Teamwork
Workplaces often depend on people sharing information, supporting one another, and working towards common goals. Offer help when you reasonably can, share useful updates, and be clear about what you can take on. Teamwork is not about doing everything yourself or saying yes to every request; it is about contributing fairly and communicating when you need support.
If a team project is falling behind, you could ask what needs attention most urgently and agree who will handle each task. Clear responsibilities help prevent confusion and make it easier for everyone to contribute.
8. Understand That Trust Takes Time—and Should Go Both Ways
You cannot force people to trust you immediately, and you do not have to earn trust through one grand gesture. It is usually built gradually through consistent behaviour. Give working relationships time to develop and notice whether other people also act with honesty, fairness, and respect.
A healthy workplace should make it possible to ask questions, raise reasonable concerns, and seek help without being humiliated or threatened. If someone repeatedly breaks commitments, shares private information, pressures you to do something inappropriate, or treats you disrespectfully, do not assume that you alone are responsible for fixing the relationship. Consider speaking with a trusted manager, HR representative, union representative, or another appropriate source of support. For further information about workplace rights and resolving problems at work, visit Acas.
A Practical Five-Step Plan to Build Trust at Work
Step 1: Start with one small commitment. Choose a realistic task and make sure you follow it through.
Step 2: Communicate clearly. Ask questions, confirm priorities, and share important updates.
Step 3: Take responsibility. If something goes wrong, be honest and focus on resolving it.
Step 4: Treat people with respect. Listen, keep appropriate information confidential, and recognise others’ contributions.
Step 5: Reflect and improve. At the end of the week, consider what went well and what you could do differently next time.
If you are preparing to enter employment, explore IM MORE’s employment and training resources for further guidance on developing practical workplace skills.
Trust Starts with Everyday Choices
Building trust in the workplace is not about trying to be liked by everyone or pretending to have all the answers. It is about showing through your actions that you are reliable, respectful, honest, and willing to learn.
You can begin by keeping a commitment, listening carefully, asking for help when you need it, or admitting when you have made a mistake. These small choices can help create stronger working relationships over time.
As you develop your career, remember that trust is a shared responsibility. Do your part to build positive relationships, and look for workplaces where respect and fairness are demonstrated by everyone. You can also explore the IM MORE on-demand training programme to learn more about developing skills and preparing for employment.
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