08/21/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/21/2024 17:49
Here's a statistic that caught my eye recently: Employees who feel trusted are 23% more likely to share ideas and 21% more likely to take ownership of their work, according to the American Psychological Association.
In other words, trust helps people feel they belong.
It's no surprise then that one of our Virtues at PG&E is trustworthy. In fact, we've dubbed it our Virtue of the Year to bring extra attention to it. We recognize that trust is critical to our success in serving our hometowns every day and delivering on our True North Strategy for the long term.
Trust and Psychological Safety
When trust is a big part of workplace culture, it creates a sense of psychological safety. That means coworkers feel safe to speak up, share creative solutions, and even make mistakes without fear of punishment.
Trust helps create an environment where people's efforts are valued, which leads to better quality in our work and a stronger sense of belonging. When employees trust that they will be respected, they're more likely to engage fully and collaborate.
This open communication is essential for innovation. As we strive to meet the changing energy needs of customers, the ability to think creatively and approach challenges from new angles is vital.
For example, think about a team working on a new project to improve energy delivery in one of our hometowns. When team members trust each other, they'll be more likely to challenge assumptions, suggest bold ideas, and discuss the best way forward. This kind of teamwork results in higher-quality outcomes-ones that are innovative and inclusive.
Trust, Wholeness and Belonging
Trust also plays a vital role in fostering a sense of wholeness, where employees can bring their full selves to work. When people trust that they can be authentic without fear of judgment, they're more engaged and committed to their work and the team. This sense of wholeness directly contributes to belonging.
Belonging is about more than just fitting in; it's about feeling that you're part of something bigger, that your unique contributions matter. This is what we want everyone to feel at PG&E.
We're committed to leveraging trust as a foundational capability to ensure every coworker feels a part of the "we" in our mission. No matter your role, trust empowers you to contribute meaningfully, innovate boldly, and deliver excellence.
Our Commitment to Trust and Belonging
As we look to the future, our commitment is clear: We will continue to build and nurture trust across our company. This trust will help us create a culture where everyone feels they belong, where everyone feels they can succeed, and where our combined efforts lead to success for both our company and the hometowns we serve.