Do You Trust Me?

Trust means to have assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. I wish it was that easy. I was asked to define trust this past week. I had a difficult time understanding how to build and or have trust in others. The concept for the Universal TEAM Network has a lot to do with trust. Trust is so important that the letter 'T' in 'TEAM' stands for trust. Can we really trust everyone in the universe? If so, how much trust do we give to people and on what level? In the age of social networking, researches on trust amongst people on social networking sites is way up! Unfortunately, trust in the work place has decreased. When the trust in the work place is low, so is a ton of other things. Communication, respect, reliability, and performance/production will be on the down fall when trust is compromised. According to the latest Maritz Research Poll, they found that...

• 25% of participants said they had less trust in management than a year ago.

• 14% believed leaders in their company were ethical and honest.

• 12% reported an employer who genuinely cared about employees.

• 7% thought senior management's words and actions were consistent.

1. Take Your Time- It takes time to build trust in others and for them to have trust in you. Don't get mad if you sense that someone you are in communication with doesn't trust you. Make time to get to know your co-workers, church, and clients. Don't rush others into trusting you. It looks and seems desperate on your part. Don't think your level of trust is determined by how much trust they have in you. Taking a few risks here and there will give people in your life to earn your trust. Your expectations for others is a reflection of your level of trust in them. Let trust grow.

2. Communication is Key-  Try these 3 ideas in your communication with others. 

A. Expand your vocabulary: I don't know. I made a mistake. I was wrong. People trust people who are accountable, who take ownership for their actions and are willing to say they don't know, made a mistake, or were wrong. Trying to justify an inaccurate position, cover up a mistake, fake knowledge, or act like something didn't happen leads nowhere. Trust is built by people who, when they don't know, find out; when they make a mistake fix it, learn from it, and share that learning to help others avoid it. 

B. Listen with undivided attention. Put the phone, tablet, gadget away. We're so busy communicating we fail to communicate. We think because we said something, sent something, posted something it was understood. We confuse communicating with understanding and silence with listening. Real listening requires focused attention and a quiet mind. There are few behaviors more powerful in building trust than receiving someone's focused and undivided attention on what you're saying.

C. Check the facts before sending, telling, or sharing. When information shared by you is consistently credible, factual, and useful, you build trust. Just like there are urban legends, lies and distortions floating around the Internet, there are at work, too. People who don't pass along rumors, half-truths, and speculations, but verify the facts first, are those others trust.

3. Be Reliable- When you are on time and prepared it spells reliability to those around you. I try to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for every thing. You can't always predict what might slow you down but you can give yourself some cushion in the time department. Cancel appointments asap. It shows that you have considered that others have set aside time and or have made plans that you play a key role in. This will allow them the most amount of time to reschedule or fill your role with someone else. I don't always say yes to people but the ones I do say yes to, I mean it and they know it. 

4. Demonstrating to Others- "Practice what you preach!" This commonly used phrase will help you build true trust with others. Don't hold others to expectations that you wouldn't hold yourself to. A former supervisor I was under once used the phrase, "throw me under the bus and see what happens!". She used her position to impose a false sense of trust more like threats. In the end, she lost my respect and the respect of others. Don't expect others to do what you yourself aren't willing to do. If you have lost the trust of others and want to get it back, set an example. 

Trust is a unique and difficult subject in a world full of people who don't care for others. Let others earn your trust. I recently had a friend tell me that I don't trust people and that I really don't trust my self.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Keep your faith in the Lord! 

Sometimes just being honest and open with others will develop a trusting relationship with them. The Lord plays a key role in this. You may not go to church or think you have a lot of knowledge about God and the bible but you know more than you think you do. You'll never understand why things happen or why people do the things they do but you can decide how you react. Have trust in the facts, don't read between the lines and pre-judge a person or situation. You'll regret it later!

Don't forget to Like us on Facebook 

Share this blog with others by clicking share at the top of the page!