Trust and the flexible workplace
‘I’d love to offer flexible work hours and allow staff to work from home, but I don’t know if I can trust them!’
Is this you?
This is a common response from employers who really want to do the right thing, but just can’t break through that barrier – a lack of trust.
The problem is, more and more people want the flexibility, and you are losing out on the pick of the crop if you can’t break through this.
‘We’ve allowed people to work from home, or job share in the past, but we’ve been burned too many times.’
Is this you?
Another common problem. Sometimes people can seem to take advantage of the generous situation you extend to them, but more often than not, the rules were just not clear.
Clarifying your expectations and needs is key to a successful working relationship, and it goes both ways. When you are vague about the way things should be, you open yourself up to problems down the track.
What can you do?
The first thing you need to do is understand the basis of a trusted relationship. We all think we know what trust is and how it works, but our experience shows that, over time, we’ve forgotten the basics. Getting this understanding right sets you up for success.
The next thing is to understand what a trustworthy person looks like. Through an understanding of what qualities a person should have in order for you to trust them, you can limit the amount of ‘bad hiring decisions’.
The last thing is to clarify your expectations and needs, and be very, very clear about what you are promising. Once these are set, measure them, and adjust them as you need to, but keep communicating!
How we can help you
Entente has some great workshops, tools and techniques that will get you on track, fast, so you can start being the kind of employer you really want to be!
Our workshops include:
- Building Trust 101 – the building blocks needed for trusted relationships
- Employing people you can trust
- Position descriptions are out – Company Contribution Statements are in!
Our tools include:
- Are we building or breaking trust? The online diagnostic
- How trustworthy am I? Online self assessment
- How trustworthy do you think I am? Online 360 assessment (to come)
Other things we do:
- Conference speaking – Vanessa Hall, author of ‘The truth about trust in business’, and ‘The simple truth about trust’
- Executive Coaching
- Consulting
Who is Entente?
Entente is the leader in understanding and building trust in Australia. The word ‘Entente’ is French for understanding and good relationships, which is ultimately what we do – increasing awareness and understanding about the role and importance of trust in business, and in personal relationships, and empowering businesses and individuals with what they need to enhance their results, retention and relationships.
Vanessa Hall, Founder and Director of Entente, has 20 years experience in business, from back office, operations, customer service, compliance, risk management, policy and process design, workshop design and facilitation to building and running her own boutique consultancy.
Her interest in the role of trust has seen her interviewing and/or working with senior executives and CEOs of companies such as:
- Deloitte
- CGU
- MLC
- Virgin Money
- Ella Bache
- Mont Blanc
- Masterfoods
Special Offer for Part Time Online clients
Mention this ad when you call to book your workshop or other service and receive $150 off our normal price, or 10 copies of ‘The simple truth about trust’ for your employees.
Call Vanessa Hall, Director of Entente, on 02 9290 8592, or visit our website
www.entente.com.au now.
‘Vanessa’s work in trust is world class. She is, in my mind, Australia’s if not the world’s thought leader on trust.’
Matt Church, CEO, Thought Leaders
‘Great session. Have taken on board what I’ve learned not only at work, but with family relationships and friends. Easy to understand the messages. Great work.’
Deloitte representative
"You don't know how important this is until you spend the time to look at it."
Matt Strudwick, Linkup International
