Jeff Faulkner

Building Trust
January 31, 2008

In my previous post I discussed the basics of trust and the fact that trust is fundamental to building a strong organization. After all, business is about the people and relationships are built on trust. In review, trust is placing your confidence in someone that you can depend on. The ultimate goal is to achieve relationships of trust where intentions, values, and decisions are rarely, if ever, questioned. How do we get there? We have to place emphasis on building trust and avoid those activities that destroy trust.

• Be Believable – You must keep your promises. Trust is established when what you say and what you do match up. Naturally, this entails that you be very cautious about what you promise. But when you do make a promise – mean what you say. The single most important element of being a promise keeper is consistency in your behavior. Moliere, the French playwright, said “Men are alike in their promises. It is only in their deeds that they differ.” Don’t break your promises.

• Value Others – You cannot trust others, if you do not respect them. And if you do not respect them, they will not trust you. People are inherently valuable and you must show them that you recognize their value. If you do not value others, it will be impossible for you to establish a trusting relationship with them.

• Shoot Straight – Nobody trusts anybody that doesn’t practice “straight talk.” Pop culture has defined this as “spinning.” The reality is that it’s lying. Don’t be a liar. We trust people who pursue truth. This isn’t always comfortable or pleasant. But wouldn’t you rather know where you stand with someone without fear of getting stabbed in the back?

• Be Encouraging – Being critical of others does not help build trust. Encouraging others and believing in them will build a bond of trust that is unbreakable. When you believe in others, they will believe in you. Be critical and judgmental of others and you’ll never be able to forge a relationship of trust with them.

• Practice Interdependence – You might be good, but you’re not good enough to handle all that life throws at you by yourself. You need people around you that you can depend on and place your confidence in. Be that kind of person for others and your relationships will be characterized by trust.

Practicing these principles will help you establish relationships that are built upon trust. In my next post I will address what to do when trust has been broken.

Posted by Jeff Faulkner on January 31, 2008 | Comments (0)