Cognitive swift trust vs. Emotional trust

In the evolving landscape of hybrid work, trust emerges as a vital component in maintaining strong connections with your team.

According to Ellen Kossek's article in the journal "Rethinking 'Back to Work'," there are two types of trust that play a crucial role in fostering team cohesion: cognitive swift trust and emotional trust.

  1. Cognitive Swift Trust:

    Cognitive swift trust refers to the team's confidence in each other's reliability and competence. It is the "thinking" component of trust, where team members rely on their belief in the capabilities and dependability of their colleagues. This type of trust is built through consistent demonstration of competence, meeting commitments, and delivering results. When cognitive swift trust exists, team members have faith in each other's abilities, fostering collaboration, and effective teamwork.

  2. Emotional Trust:

    Emotional trust is rooted in the genuine care and concern team members have for one another. It goes beyond competence and reliability, focusing on the "feeling" component of trust. When emotional trust is present, team members develop a sense of connection and closeness. They know they can rely on each other not only professionally but also for support, empathy, and understanding. By fostering emotional trust, leaders create a safe and supportive environment that encourages open communication and nurtures strong interpersonal relationships.

As Theodore Roosevelt aptly said, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

This sentiment holds true in the context of building trust within a hybrid workplace.

When team members perceive that their colleagues genuinely care about their well-being and success, trust flourishes, laying the foundation for collaboration, innovation, and high performance.

Trust is a vital ingredient for success in the hybrid workplace. By cultivating both cognitive swift trust and emotional trust, leaders can foster strong connections, collaboration, and engagement within their teams.

What’s an example of trust creation in your workplace? 

#humanresources #leadership #remotework

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