Building Trust When Stability Is Scarce

When things feel uncertain, people look for something steady, both at work and in life. They want to trust the people around them and the company they work for.

Your organization already gives them financial security. But do they trust you with their best ideas? Their honest feedback? Their full commitment?

At a client offsite two weeks ago, the Unreasonable Hospitality team ran a workshop based on Will Guidara’s book by the same name. The program focused on building real trust through intentional conversations.

They opened with one question: “Why do you work here, beyond the paycheck?”

Every answer was different. Hearing varied responses helped the group reconnect to the mission and to each other.

What can you do right now?

Start by checking in with each person on your team. I don’t mean transactionally as a task to check off, but genuinely. See how they’re doing. Understand the headset they are wearing these days. Ask questions like:

• How are you, really?

• What has been keeping you up at night lately?

• If you had an extra hour in your day, what would you do with it?

• What gives you energy?

• Beyond supporting yourself and your family, why do you work here?

Pick two or three questions that feel right for each individual. Then, and this is crucial, show them you heard them. 

Follow up in your next 1:1 on something they mentioned. Or stop by their workspace a few days later to check in on something they shared. Send them a link to an article that connects to what you discussed. 

If they respond well, ask another question next time. You don't need to spend half the meeting on it, but think of it as an opener that goes deeper each time you connect.

The payoff? The next time you have to give tough feedback, ask for edits on something late in the day, or push a project forward over the weekend, they won’t shut down or avoid it. They’ll stay engaged. They'll lean in. 

That's the trust dividend.