The relationship between trust and teamwork is a significant aspect of group dynamics. Trust plays a critical role in enhancing effective communication among members and developing healthy interpersonal ties that are necessary for achieving organizational goals. Relationship trust can be defined as an individual's perception of another person's willingness to act favorably toward them based on their past interactions and expectations about future behavior (Morgan & Shamsuddin, 2014). Research has shown that relational trust influences cooperation, cohesion, and performance outcomes within groups. This article will explore how relational trust impacts LGBT-inclusive units.
Relationships are vital for LGBT people since they provide emotional support, security, companionship, and self-esteem, which are essential elements for well-being and happiness. The relationship can take various forms such as friendship, dating, or marriage.
Relationships have been challenged by discrimination, stigma, and prejudice due to sexual orientation or gender identity. In this context, LGBT individuals need to establish strong relationships with others who understand and appreciate them to create a safe environment where they feel accepted and valued.
In the workplace, LGBT-inclusive units require teamwork to achieve collective goals. Teamwork involves collaborative efforts towards a common purpose, mutual accountability, and collective responsibility (Gersick, 1986). Effective teams depend on shared information, knowledge sharing, openness to new ideas, respect for diversity, commitment to group goals, and trust between members. Trust is essential in ensuring communication flow, conflict resolution, decision making, risk taking, and coordination among members (Rousseau et al., 1998). Research has found a positive correlation between team trust and team effectiveness (Lawrence et al., 2007). A high level of trust fosters an atmosphere of honesty, transparency, and reliability that encourages creativity and innovation (Harrison et al., 2006). Trust also enables teammates to share information freely without fear of judgment or repercussions, leading to effective problem-solving and better performance outcomes.
Relational trust plays a significant role in enhancing cooperation within LGBT-inclusive units. Cooperation refers to the willingness of team members to help each other voluntarily (Sorensen & Sorensen, 2009). Relationship trust influences how team members interact and communicate with one another (Morrison et al., 2011), which enhances collaboration, information exchange, and goal accomplishment. When team members trust each other, they are more likely to assist their colleagues when needed, offer suggestions and feedback, and support each other's ideas. This leads to higher levels of task completion and increased productivity.
A study conducted by Zhu & Yao (2013) revealed that relationship trust enhances knowledge sharing behavior among team members.
Cohesion refers to the degree to which group members feel a sense of unity and belonging (Gersick, 1986). It is critical for building a healthy work environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated. Inclusive teams require cohesion to ensure members work together towards shared goals and achieve common objectives (Lawrence et al., 2007). Relational trust influences cohesion by creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and acceptance, where team members feel safe expressing themselves and listening to others. Team members who trust each other are more comfortable working together, and this increases commitment and engagement, leading to improved performance outcomes. A study by Sorensen & Sorensen (2009) found that relationship trust improves interpersonal ties within groups, promoting cohesiveness and social identification.
Relational trust plays a vital role in enhancing cooperation, cohesion, and performance outcomes within LGBT-inclusive units. Trust creates a positive atmosphere that encourages communication flow, innovation, and creativity, leading to better problem-solving abilities and goal accomplishment. Therefore, managers should promote trust-building activities such as open communication, regular feedback, shared decision making, and transparent conflict resolution. These measures can help foster a culture of trust and collaboration that supports inclusivity and diversity within teams.
How does relational trust influence cooperation, cohesion, and performance outcomes in LGBT-inclusive units?
Relational trust is defined as an individual's belief that another individual will act with honesty and good intentions towards them (Wegge et al. , 2017). In LGBT-inclusive units, relational trust influences cooperation, cohesion, and performance outcomes through several mechanisms.