From Trusted to Trustworthy

Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like people just don't trust you? It can be frustrating, right?

But let's flip the script for a moment. How many times have you found it challenging to trust someone else? Maybe it's a former lover, a friend,

a colleague, or even your boss. Ah, now we're getting somewhere.

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Trust is a two-way street, and it's crucial in both personal and professional relationships.

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As a young professional, I thought I had it all figured out. I was a statistical analysis genius, collecting massive amounts of data and coming

up with genius ideas to boost company profits. But when I tried to share my ideas with my colleagues, they were met with indifference. It was

like talking to a brick wall! That's when my boss gave me some sage advice, "If you want people to listen to you, you need to build trust with

them." And that was the beginning of my journey to learning the art and science of building trust.

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So, what does it take to build trust?

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There are four crucial elements to building trust that you need to be aware of.

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First, you need to demonstrate competence. If people don't believe that you know what you're talking about, they won't trust you. So, you

need to prove that you're a force to be reckoned with. Whether it's being an expert in your field or having strong problem-solving abilities,

you need to be confident in your abilities.

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Second, reliability is key. If you say you're going to do something, you need to follow through. It's that simple. People are more likely to trust

you if they can rely on you to keep your promises. No excuses, no exceptions.

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Third, you need to make people feel safe. This means creating an environment where they can share their challenges and struggles without

fear of judgment or criticism. It's important to give them space to talk through their issues, and resist the temptation to jump straight to a

solution. Being a good listener, showing empathy, and respecting confidentiality are all essential components of creating a safe space.

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Last but not least, you need to be focused on their interests, not yours. This is perhaps the toughest element to master because we are all

naturally self-centered. But if you want people to trust you, you need to show them that you care about their needs and concerns. It involves

actively listening to others, asking questions, and taking the time to understand their perspective.

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Now, here's the fun part. Imagine building trust is like baking a cake. Competence is the flour, reliability is the sugar, safety is the butter, and

focusing on others' interests is the icing on the cake. When all these elements work together in harmony, trust flourishes like a beautifully

baked cake. But if any one of these elements gets shaky, trust is threatened, and the cake falls apart.

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So, how can you apply these four elements in your life to become a more trustworthy individual?

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First, take stock of where you may be wobbly in these four areas. Are you confident in your abilities? Do you keep your promises? Are you

creating a safe environment for others? And are you focused on their needs and concerns?

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Second, commit to making improvements. Remember, becoming trustworthy is not just about what others think of you - it's also about how

you feel about yourself. Take the time to reflect, and make a conscious effort to improve in these areas.

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Finally, remember that building trust takes time. It's not something that happens overnight. But with consistent effort and a willingness to be

vulnerable, you can build strong, meaningful connections with others that will stand the test of time

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