Trust – your word is your bond.
Regardless of where you are on your career path—whether you’re an individual contributor, C-suite exec, just starting out, or ready to retire—being someone who can be trusted to complete work, help and support others, and act with integrity is always critical for success, and for me, now more than ever.
Trust builds camaraderie. It helps others feel good, confident, and motivated to work with you on projects. Trust also lends itself to others providing you assistance when you are in need.
Building trust takes time ... and trust can be quickly lost! So think through what helps YOU to trust others and practice it! Is it following through on promises? Being sure you’re openly and honestly communicating with coworkers? Seeing value in the talents that others bring to game?
Do you admit when you’re wrong, or when you don’t know something and need help? Do you avoid blaming others when remedial action is necessary? Do you carry your own weight and check in with others to see how they’re doing? Are you being inclusive, and not only working with those you know, but expanding your network so all feel welcome? Do you walk the walk and share accolades with others and acknowledge contributions?
Build trust with coworkers and managers. It will go a long way to making each day—and your career—better!
Judy Giordan is the co-founder of the Chemical Angels Network, Managing Director of ecosVC, Inc., venture founder, former Fortune 100 executive, and ACS President-Elect for 2022. Judy serves as board member, co-founder, advisor, and investor in seed and early-stage start-ups.
Her previous executive positions include Corporate Vice President and Global Director of Research and Development at International Flavors and Fragrances, Inc.; Vice-President Worldwide Research and Development for the Pepsi-Cola Company, the global beverage arm of PepsiCo, Inc.; Vice President Research and Development, Henkel Corporation, the North American operating unit of the Henkel Group; and co-founder of ventures in areas including biofuels and executive search.
She has also held management and technical contributor positions at Polaroid and ALCOA and has served with the National Science Foundation as Program Director for the IGERT Program.
Judy has a BS in Environmental Science and VoTech Ag from Rutgers University; PhD in Chemistry from the University of Maryland; and was an Alexander von Humboldt post-doctoral fellow at the University of Frankfurt, Germany.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the view of their employer or the American Chemical Society.
;void(0);){kind=link}