Connecting with others: building trust at work

Trust grows when people know where they stand with you. That takes both honesty and warmth, and most of us lean towards one.

Direct conversations are a skill you can practise. Being clear about what you think and caring about the other person are not opposites.

Three things to try

• Raise one thing you have been putting off saying, kindly and directly.
• Tell a colleague specifically what you appreciate about their work.
• Start your next one-to-one by asking how the person is really doing.