Which of the following does NOT describe a way to build trust at work?

• A. Seek personal gain above shared gain
• B. Communicate openly and honestly
• C. Keep commitments and be reliable
• D. Share credit for successes with the team

Answer: (A)

Trust at work grows when actions show transparency, reliability, and fairness toward the team. Choosing to pursue personal gain above shared gain signals a hidden agenda and a focus on self-interest, which undermines trust because colleagues can’t rely on your commitment to the group’s success. They may question whether you’ll follow through, share credit, or support collective goals.

The other practices reinforce trust: communicating openly and honestly builds transparency; keeping commitments and being reliable demonstrates dependability; and sharing credit for successes with the team shows fairness and recognition of others’ contributions. These behaviors create a sense of safety and collaboration, which are core to trust.

So, prioritizing personal gain over shared gain is the approach that does not build trust.