Nine Trust-Building Practices To Improve Your Relationships

“I don’t trust you.” 

If you believe yourself to be trustworthy, these words sting and can be a slap in the face. However, many people won’t say these words directly to you. Instead, they show you by avoiding you, speaking negatively about you, dismissing you for opportunities, and declining your invitations. They stop engaging with you or following you on social media, or make the decision to leave you altogether. Trust is a catalyst for relationships, teams and brands to thrive.  Where there is trust, there is forward movement, healthy engagement, a desire to work and play together, and a sense of belonging, partnership and significance. When people trust you, they give you their time, energy, confidence, loyalty, money and other resources willingly. In short, you get the most out of people when they trust you.

In the absence of trust, there is a feeling of immobility, tension and conflict.

Trust has to be developed and earned. Consistency of the right practices over time builds credibility and a good name. The result—you become extremely valuable to others and attract countless opportunities.

Consider these nine trust-building practices:

1. Walk your talk. There must be integrity, or wholeness, between what you say and what you do. Make decisions that align with your values.
2. Follow-thru. Show-up and do what you say you’re going to do. Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no.
3. Transfer positive energy. A positive attitude is like honey—rich, golden sweetness with therapeutic value! Make people feel strengthened around you.
4. Pass tests. People don’t buy into what you say as much as they buy into what you survive. Whether you conquer an enormous organizational goal, beat cancer, start a successful business after losing your job, or obtain a college degree at 50 years of age—it all takes courage, focus, determination, and discipline to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and achieve big things.
5. Support others. Use your resources to help others grow and succeed.
6. Tell the truth. All day, everyday.
7. Be on time. In addition to meetings, be timely in the submission of your promised deliverables and financial obligations. Being punctual in all things reflects good stewardship of time, energy and resources.
8. Be humble. Don’t be arrogant in your success. Generously give credit where credit is due.
9. Deliver excellence. Be great at what you do. Set high standards for how you work, handle affairs, carry yourself and treat others.

EXERCISE:

1. Review the list of nine trust-building practices. Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 (1= Needs improvement, 5=Excellent).
2. Identify the trust-building areas where you need the most improvement.
3. Choose one practice and develop a plan around how you are going to grow in that area.

Listen, I know what it’s like to be on a journey of discovering the best you because I am there too. Let’s walk together. CLICK HERE to join the online #OYO Community and follow me on social media for daily inspirations.