Autonomy: The Key to Building Trust in Your Business
In business, trust is the foundation upon which success is built.
It’s not just about meeting deadlines and delivering quality products; it’s about creating an environment where employees and customers can rely on your organisation. The secret to establishing and nurturing trust in your business is autonomy.
If appropriately embedded, the ability for individuals to make their own decisions and take ownership of their work can be a game-changer.
Giving people the freedom to make choices encourages a sense of responsibility, accountability, and a deeper connection to their work.
However, it can be chaotic if not appropriately embedded.
The How
Telling people how to do the work - brings micro-management - instead, tell them the outcome you want them to achieve and let them get on with it.
Feedback loops/retros - to empower the team to change and improve, check into the outcome, and reflect regularly.
Regular check-ins - help keep the team accountable and avoid diverting from the overall outcome.
“Control leads to compliance; autonomy leads to engagement.”
In reality, autonomy is what builds trust in your business. It’s about showing your employees and customers that you trust their abilities and judgment.
This trust empowers them to take the lead and make decisions, which, in turn, enhances their commitment to the organisation. When people feel trusted, they are more likely to trust in return, creating a positive feedback loop of trust within your business.
Autonomy also creates an environment in which people want to work. Nobody wants to be micro-managed or constantly told what to do. When employees are free to tackle challenges in their way, they are more likely to be engaged, happy, and motivated. This positive work atmosphere retains talent and attracts new talent to your organisation. People gravitate towards workplaces where they feel valued and respected.
It motivates people to work harder because they have a sense of purpose. When individuals understand that their contributions matter and their decisions can influence the company’s direction, they become more dedicated to their work.
They see a direct link between their efforts and the business’s success. Autonomy helps employees find meaning in their work, driving them to put in extra effort.
It’s important to note that people are not lazy; it’s whether they feel enabled to make decisions.
When empowered to act independently, employees are more likely to take the initiative, be innovative, and seek solutions to problems.
In contrast, a lack of autonomy can lead to disengagement and decreased productivity. In these environments, employees may do the bare minimum to get by.
So What?
Autonomy is the secret to building trust in your business. It triggers an environment in which people want to work, motivating them to work harder with a sense of purpose. Trust is the glue that holds any successful business together, and autonomy is the key ingredient that helps build and strengthen that trust.
Your business can thrive and prosper when employees and customers feel valued, empowered, and trusted.
So, don’t hesitate to give people the freedom to make choices, and watch as trust in your business soars to new heights.