“Trust is not something you win; it’s something you build.”
What does it mean to really trust someone?  When I was a Sales Director, I wanted to build an environment at work where we trusted one another and looked to one another for support, one of the attributes of a high performing team.  So, I asked my team what it means to trust another person.  These were the definitions I received. The person does what they say they are going to do, and you have 100% confidence in them.  In general, you belief in, depend upon, are sure about, bet on, count on, gamble on, lean on, look to, and rely on that other individual and know they have your back.
“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” – Stephen R. Covey
Our team went on to identify why trust mattered to us and the attributes we could work on that would build each other’s confidence in us and establish trust. Â Here is what we identified.
Benefits of Trust
Trust is a fundamental element in both work and life for several reasons:
- Fosters Collaboration: Trust is the foundation of any successful team. When team members trust each other, they are more likely to share ideas, work collaboratively, and support each other’s efforts. This leads to increased productivity and innovation.
- Builds Strong Relationships: In work or personal life, trust is the cornerstone of any relationship. Whether it’s a friendship, a romantic relationship, a work partnership or a family bond, trust allows for open communication, mutual respect, and emotional security.
- Promotes a Positive Environment: Trust creates a positive atmosphere where people feel safe and valued. This leads to higher morale and satisfaction, both in the workplace and in personal life.
- Encourages Risk-taking: When there is trust, individuals are more likely to take risks and step out of their comfort zones. This can lead to personal growth and development, as well as breakthroughs in problem-solving and creativity.
- Enhances Leadership: Leaders who are trusted inspire loyalty, commitment, and high performance from their teams. Trust in leadership is crucial for a team’s success and can significantly impact an organization’s bottom line.
Trust is not just a nice-to-have. It’s a critical component of successful relationships, productive teams, and effective leadership. Without trust, our personal and professional lives would be filled with doubt, uncertainty, and instability.
Attributes of Trust
Trusting someone truly means believing in their reliability, ability, and truthfulness. It’s about feeling safe with them, both physically and emotionally. Here are some the aspects we identified to increase our own ability to become a trusted individual:
“Trust is the highest form of human motivation. It brings out the very best in people.” – Stephen R. Covey
- Reliability: You trust that the person will do what they say they will do. They are consistent in their actions and follow through on their commitments.
- Honesty: You trust that the person is truthful and transparent with you. They don’t hide things from you or deceive you.
- Confidentiality: You trust that the person will keep your secrets and private matters confidential. They respect your privacy and don’t share your personal information without your consent.
- Good Intentions: You trust that the person has your best interests at heart. They care about you and want what’s best for you.
- Understanding: You trust that the person understands you. They listen to you, validate your feelings, and empathize with you.
- Non-judgmental: You trust that the person won’t judge you harshly for your mistakes or flaws. They accept you as you are.
- Respect: You trust that the person respects you and values your opinions and decisions. They don’t belittle you or undermine your self-esteem.
In essence, to really trust someone means to have confidence in their character and actions, and to feel secure in your relationship with them. It’s a crucial component of any healthy relationship.
Your Turn
Do you want people to trust you? Do people trust you? How can you be a person that someone trusts.
“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” – Ernest Hemingway
Here are some journal prompts to help you explore the theme of trust:
- What does trust mean to you? Write about the qualities that you believe are essential for trust.
- Consider the people in your life whom you trust the most. What qualities do they have that make them trustworthy?
- How does trust influence your decision-making process? Do you find it easy or difficult to trust your own judgment? Why?
- Reflect on a time when someone broke your trust. How did it make you feel? What impact did it have on your relationship with that person?
- Think about a time when you broke someone’s trust. What led to that situation? How did you try to make amends?
- How do you rebuild trust once it’s been broken? Reflect on the steps you would take to mend a relationship where trust has been compromised.
These prompts are designed to help you delve deeper into your understanding of trust, how it affects your relationships, and how it influences your personal decisions.
5-Minute Cup Filler Exercise
Here is a 5-minute daily exercise to develop your skills around establishing trust.
Choose to be a better version of yourself every day.
Think back over the last 24 hours.
BECOME AWARE: Name one thing that impacted someone’s ability to trust you. What was the outcome? How did this impact you and your relationship?
TIP: If you need help getting started, try thinking about the attributes of trust. Are there any that you have broken?
BE GRATEFUL:Â Rephrase this observation into a choice you can be grateful for.
I am grateful for __(insert observation) ___ because it gives me a chance to __(identify choice to improve trust ability)___ .
TAKE ACTION: What is one action you can take (when you observe this again) to improve the outcome?  Name an additional action you choose to take throughout the day to reinforce.
Choose to commit to repeat daily until you build your energy muscle, and it becomes natural!