Trust makes the difference between staying stuck and moving forward in your career. Most professionals have experienced it: watching others advance while feeling stuck in place, missing out on exciting projects and promotions despite working hard. The difference often comes down to trust.
Without it, managers hesitate to delegate important tasks, share growth opportunities, or champion your advancement. This guide shares practical steps to become trusted professional managers rely on first and open doors to meaningful career advancement.
Better Relationships, Better Career: Here’s How
Building strong relationships at work is one of the most effective ways to advance in your career. When your employer trusts you, they are more likely to offer you growth opportunities, take your ideas, and rely on you for important tasks.
A good professional relationship is built on reliability, clear communication, and mutual respect, which can lead to a stronger reputation and a more satisfying career path. If you are just starting or looking to reach the next level, here’s how focusing on better workplace relationships can set you up for long-term success.
1. Be Reliable and Consistent
Consistency builds trust. According to SHRM research, workplaces with high trust levels see 50 percent higher employee productivity, starting with individual reliability.1 When you meet deadlines and maintain high standards, your employer begins to see you as someone they can count on.
When a manager needs an urgent report for an upcoming meeting, they will likely trust you to pull together the necessary information quickly and accurately if you consistently meet deadlines and handle tasks carefully. Over time, by consistently managing these types of responsibilities, you build a reputation as a go-to person for urgent tasks, leading to more projects and opportunities and even career advancement opportunities.
2. Communicate Openly and Transparently
Open communication is key to preventing misunderstandings and establishing mutual respect. In fact, SHRM research shows that employees in high-trust environments are 23 percent more likely to offer ideas and solutions.2 This makes sense – when people feel trusted, they feel more confident speaking up and contributing to the team’s success.
If you face challenges meeting a deadline, for example, communicate it early and offer solutions or revised timelines. When your employer sees you are willing to share successes and setbacks honestly, it shows maturity and dedication to maintaining integrity in the workplace.
Being proactive shows your commitment to the team’s success, not just your focus on your tasks. This open approach shows you prioritize clear communication and solutions even when challenges arise.
3. Seek Feedback and Act on It
Proactively asking for feedback signals to your employer your dedication to growing in your role. Rather than waiting for a performance review or for issues to arise, you take the initiative to understand where you can improve. It shows that you are genuinely interested in becoming a better asset to the team, which helps set you apart as someone with a growth-oriented mindset.
Also, the true value of feedback lies in your response to it. When you seek feedback and implement suggested changes, you demonstrate adaptability and willingness to make meaningful adjustments. If your manager advises you to improve your time management and you actively work on these areas, it sends a strong message. You are not just gathering information but applying it to produce real results.
4. Show Initiative and Problem-Solving Skills
Employers appreciate team members who can identify and address issues before they escalate. If you consistently bring solutions to the table—whether proposing a process improvement or suggesting a new approach to a recurring issue—it shows that you are not just there to do the minimum. It shows you are invested in the company’s success and are willing to go the extra mile.
When you proactively identify the issue and propose a tangible solution, you show you are not just clocking in and out but working to improve the experience and streamline the workflow.
5. Stay Professional and Positive Under Pressure
High-stress moments are inevitable in any job, and how you respond during these times can shape your employer’s perception of your professionalism and resilience. When pressure mounts, deadlines loom, or unexpected problems arise, keeping a calm and positive demeanor shows your team and supervisors that you can handle more significant challenges.
A composed response in tense situations communicates stability and reliability, showing that you focus on finding solutions rather than letting stress derail your performance.
If a sudden influx of work or a critical issue needs immediate attention, staying level-headed and maintaining a solution-focused attitude can positively influence others on the team. When you remain calm and carry out your duties effectively, you become a source of reassurance, encouraging others to stay composed.
This does not mean ignoring pressure or avoiding difficult emotions; it means taking charge of your reactions to deliver steady performance, even in less-than-ideal conditions.
6. Practice Empathy and Understand Their Perspective
Putting yourself in your employer’s shoes is a powerful way to deepen your understanding of the workplace and establish a more supportive relationship. By considering their perspective—the pressures they face, the objectives they strive to meet, and the obstacles they encounter—you gain insight into why certain decisions are made or why specific priorities are emphasized.
This empathy can transform the way you approach your role, helping you respond more thoughtfully to expectations and align your efforts with the company’s broader goals.
This approach helps you establish yourself as a proactive, valuable team player—someone who completes tasks and understands and supports the bigger picture. Employers recognize and appreciate team members who “get it, ” meaning you are not just carrying out instructions but investing in the company’s success.
7. Be Accountable for Your Mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes; it is an inevitable part of being human, especially in a professional setting where the pace is fast, and the stakes can be high. But, how you respond to those mistakes sets you apart from your peers. Instead of avoiding responsibility or making excuses, owning up to your errors demonstrates a level of maturity that is highly regarded in any workplace.
Acknowledging a mistake is not just about admitting fault; it’s also about recognizing the impact that error may have had on your team and the organization.
Apologizing, when appropriate, demonstrates that you respect your colleagues and the work you all contribute to. After acknowledging the mistake, the next important step is to shift your focus to corrective actions.
8. Respect Boundaries and Build Healthy Work Relationships
While building a strong rapport with your employer is undoubtedly important, maintaining professionalism and respecting workplace boundaries is equally important. Striking this balance demonstrates maturity and an understanding of the dynamics of professional relationships.
Becoming friendly with coworkers and supervisors is easy, but maintaining a professional demeanor ensures you are taken seriously.
While it is great to engage in friendly conversations, there are times when maintaining a level of professionalism is also important. Sharing personal stories and engaging in light-hearted banter can build rapport, but it is also important to be mindful of the appropriateness of the conversation. You do not want to cross lines that could make others uncomfortable or blur the lines of professional interaction.
Your Career Deserves a Partner You Can Trust, and at Performance Staffing, We’re Here to Help You Reach Your Full Potential
At Performance Staffing, we know that a successful career is built on trust, opportunity, and a commitment to growth. When you partner with us, we take the time to understand your unique strengths and goals, connecting you with roles that offer real potential for advancement and personal fulfillment.
Trust us to provide the tools, connections, and encouragement you need to succeed. Let’s take your career to new heights together—reach out to us today and see how we can help turn your career goals into reality!
Reference
1., 2. “How a Lack of Trust Undermines Employee Engagement.” SHRM, www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/lack-of-trust-undermines-engagement.aspx. Accessed 25 Oct. 2024.
