One of the most important things a manager can do is to gain the trust of their employees. Trust is the foundation of a strong working relationship and it leads to increased employee engagement, motivation, and loyalty. So how can you build trust with your team? One way is to show that you trust them. We're not talking "Trust Falls" either. It means avoiding micromanaging and, instead, delegating tasks that give employees ownership over the work they produce. It also means exchanging feedback that is constructive and focused on their personal growth, professional growth, and the growth of the company.

Another way to gain employee trust is to show that you value their skills and experience. Giving them opportunities to share their ideas, offering fair compensation, and showing respect for their time and energy contribute to fostering initiative as well as creative thinking. Employees who feel valued and are acknowledged for their contributions are more likely to trust their...

Okay, it is now 2019. It's a new year, a time for new beginnings and a focus on new or renewed objectives and goals. It is a time when conversations are dominated by our lists of "New Year's Resolutions". We create a plan of action to lose weight, eat healthier, read more books, be more productive, watch less television, be kinder to others, complete those unfinished chores, and. . . well, you get the picture.

While these resolution check lists are noble and well-intended, most of us (myself included) fail to achieve any of the items at the level intended when the list was made. It is practically inevitable that, by February 1st, we all fall back into the previous routines we set out to abandon - just see how much easier it is to find an available treadmill at your health club. Why is that?

The answer is relatively simple. We spend time creating the list and a course of action that will produce the results we desire but we don't make the commitment to follow through on the promises...