Giving Versus Earning Trust

 

As leaders, we want others to trust us. 

I think it is important to ask yourself about your own personal relationship with trust? 

Let’s start this conversation by asking some questions. Many of us grew up hearing the statement that trust must be earned. 

• Do you trust others automatically? 

• How easily do you grant your trust to other people? 

• What factors play into your ability or inability to trust certain individuals around you? 

• What do people need to do to earn your trust?

Most likely your life’s experiences showed up when answering these questions. That is the case for most people. We have been conditioned when it comes to trust.

Oprah Winfrey says, “Trust is one of the most critical elements of healthy relationships, families, teams, organizations and communities. However, you may have an odd or disempowered relationship to trust - you've been taught that people must earn your trust, when in fact, it's something you grant to others.”

What would life be like if you granted your trust more easily? 

What if you were willing to make yourself vulnerable, to count on other people in a genuine and healthy way and to expect the best from others authentically? 

This sounds like an amazing way to live. 

The more you are willing to grant your trust consciously, the more likely you are to create a true sense of connection, cooperation and collaboration in your life, relationships, families and teams—even if you feel scared to do so or it seems counterintuitive at times.

You'll almost always get what you expect in life. What if you start expecting people to be there for you, to do things that are trust-worthy and to have your back and your best interests in mind? As with just about everything else in life, it's a choice. 

As Albert Einstein so brilliantly stated, "The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe." 

Grant others trust versus making others earn your trust. 

If you choose to live like this you might be happily surprised and those who lean into your given trust and do life with you.

Best,

Manal