How to Build Flexibility and Trust in the Workplace

I’ve talked to LOTS of caregivers and almost every single one has said that the most important thing to ensure their success is flexibility. Flexibility of where and how they work is the most important factor in their ability to perform at high levels. But what does flexibility mean? Ultimately, it means that you have healthy trust on your team. They trust you to clearly outline objectives and timelines. You trust them to manage the work and pivot in turn. They trust that you will measure outcomes as the key indicator of performance. You trust them to deliver those outcomes. They trust you to impose feasible and reasonable workloads. You trust them to proactively communicate when workloads start to exceed sustainable capacity. Everything else becomes inconsequential – the how, where, and when that contributes to the agreed upon outcomes become open-ended options that can be applied based on need. Flexibility is letting go of the stagnant vision of what work is “supposed” to look like, and focusing on what the work delivers.

Unpopular Opinion: It doesn't matter how many days a week you bring people back to the office if your organization lacks employee trust. I recently had a conversation with a young professional who believed that they couldn't speak up within their organization because, at one point, they were told by their manager that they didn't have enough experience to have an opinion. This type of behavior damages the individual's personal career growth, including their ability to develop the skills and experience if they don't feel like they can question their own assumptions and the assumptions of others. It also damages the overall organization's ability to succeed since it prevents people from bringing their best ideas forward and working together collaboratively and productively. Yet, in all the conversations around RTO from leaders, so much is centered around a need for more productivity and innovation. Trust is the glue that holds teams together, empowers individuals, and creates an environment where employees feel valued and supported. When employees trust their employers and colleagues, they are more likely to be engaged in their work, perform at their best, and take risks that lead to innovation. Numerous studies have highlighted the significant impact of trust on organizational success. According to a study conducted by the Harvard Business Review, companies with high levels of trust experience 74% less stress, 106% more energy at work, 50% higher productivity levels, and 76% higher engagement rates compared to low-trust organizations. So how can employers cultivate trust in the workplace? It's not by getting people to show up to the office more. Here are a few key strategies: 1️⃣ Lead by example: Trust starts at the top. Employers must demonstrate trustworthiness through their actions and decisions. When leaders consistently act with integrity, transparency, and fairness, it sets the tone for a culture of trust throughout the organization. 2️⃣ Foster open communication: Encourage open dialogue and active listening within teams. When employees feel heard and valued, they are likelier to trust their colleagues and share ideas freely. Regular team meetings, feedback sessions, and opportunities for collaboration can all contribute to building trust. 3️⃣ Provide autonomy and empowerment: Trust goes hand in hand with giving employees the autonomy to make decisions and take ownership of their work. When individuals feel trusted and empowered, they are more likely to go above and beyond, take calculated risks, and develop innovative solutions. 4️⃣ Recognize and reward trust: Acknowledge and appreciate trustworthy behavior. Recognize employees who consistently demonstrate trustworthiness and create a culture where trust is celebrated. This can be done through public recognition, rewards, or small gestures like a simple thank you. #management #leadership #returntooffice #employeeexperience #employeeengagment #trust

HOW DOES WORK INTERSECT WITH LIFE? As the leader of a creative agency, recently I've found myself reflecting on what it means to cultivate a supportive work environment, which means recognizing the importance of flexibility and compassion in leadership. I'd like to share a recent scenario among our team that emphasized this idea. One of our team members faced a sudden family emergency out of state, requiring their immediate attention and support. As a team leader, I was confronted with a crucial decision – to uphold rigid work expectations or to prioritize compassion and understanding. While some leaders may find themselves reluctant to permit a full-time employee to fly out and work asynchronously at a moment's notice, for us at Octonano, the decision was a clear one: we choose well-being over strict work demands. Trusting our team member to manage their responsibilities while attending to their family's needs was a natural decision for us, which reinforces the feeling I have always had about our team – we're more than just colleagues. We're a tight-knit community that looks out for one another. This experience prompts a deeper reflection on the relationship of respect between leader and team. When our team member made this request for flexibility, their professionalism and promise to stay across their work demonstrated respect also for us as supervisors. Through showcasing this capability to balance personal and professional obligations, we reached a decision that involved mutual respect. This is why it is so important to me to underscore that the line between personal and professional relationships is finer than we think and that both sides need to be nurtured in the dynamic between leader and team member. A true leader is one who is attuned to their team's well-being both in and out of the workplace, and we at Octonano are proud to foster an environment where team members feel comfortable seeking assistance when needed. Let's never lose sight of the human element within our professional relationships. Maybe it's time to rethink your approach to leadership? Let's keep the conversation going on fostering empathy and flexibility in the workplace. Please share your insights in the comments. _ _ _ To learn more about Octonano visit www.octonanonyc.com Once an Octonano, Always an Octonano #WorkplaceCulture #Leadership #Empathy #Flexibility