On Building Trust.
Are you trustworthy?
Finding honorable people is more important now than ever.
We live in a world that has become full of complexity. The more complex our world becomes, the more we need trusted individuals to help make sense of things.
We’re told that trust is earned, but is that really true?
It’s an important question posed recently at a conference by one of my favorite keynote speakers, Malcom Gladwell. Gladwell shared several insightful examples of how trust doesn’t actually increase with dedication, improved skill sets or quality of work.
Research shows, for example, that the US population had significantly greater trust in both the police force and medical doctors years ago, before technological advances and improvements were made in both fields. While their credentials were upgraded, their reputations declined significantly.
Education or extra certifications aren’t what builds trust. Nor is seniority or titles.
Further, Gladwell shared how our skepticism around new things taints our ability to trust. Some of the most popular television shows and movies, when tested in focus groups, failed miserably because the content went into unfamiliar territory. Simply put, they made audiences uncomfortable. If the producers had taken the research at face value, we wouldn’t have Seinfield, The Sopranos, or All In The Family (among many other classical favorites) to enjoy.
Gladwell explained that the content was only embraced and even applauded through time after people had the opportunity to reflect on what they had seen and talk with others about how the felt about the contents.
The truth is, trust is built over time, through personal connection and repeat exposure. Trust can happen more naturally if we have the opportunity to feel heard and seen and valued.
Be that critical ear or shoulder for others and you will build trust. You don’t have to be the wisest, most credentialed or most senior person to build trust.
Our world needs bigger ears and hearts rather than heads.
Need a trusted ally in your corner to help you untangle the knots in your career or personal life? Reach out HERE and take advantage of a safe container to be heard. Don’t stay locked in overwhelm.