Imagine a senior care worker on a busy ward made a medication error, she expected the worst: a formal warning, a mark on her record, maybe even losing her job.

Instead, her manager sat her down and went through the incident step-by-step. The manager reminded her that the mistake has been caught, fixed and most importantly, learnt from.

After having this conversation with her manager, she began speaking up earlier, flagging potential risks before they became problems, and mentoring newer staff with confidence. Such conversations can change an individuals outlook entirely.

Trust is not built in the time away from work or through HR. It’s built it small, everyday moments. Such as, following through on promises, listening without rushing and giving honest feedback.

In health and social care, trust is the foundation of safety and retention. When your staff team can trust you, they are more likely to be honest about their mistakes and seek the appropriate help before situations escalate.

Ask yourself: does every interaction I have with my staff team build trust, or chip away at it?

If you want practical strategies to strengthen trust in your workplace, our leadership training can help you! Find out more HERE.