Blogging About Communication

According to American novelist Ernest Hemingway, “The best way to discover if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” How many of the many people you interact with regularly do you trust? How many of them do you think trust you?

What is Trust?

Trust requires the presence of both trusting and trustworthy behavior. Trust is the connective tissue of a relationship. It indicates a willingness to rely on or depend on another person. When we put our trust in a person we feel safe with them. When we feel safe, we become more willing to display our vulnerability.

The Bases for Trust Building

What makes you decide to trust someone? You likely believe in the person’s integrity—that they are a person of good character. You believe in their motives—comfortable that hidden agendas do not drive their behavior. You find their behavior to be consistent—you’re able to predict their actions. You appreciate their discretion—you believe they will act responsibly and with your welfare in mind.

There’s Risk Involved

When people in a relationship trust each other, they take a risk. Either party can be harmed because of the other’s behavior. When you place your faith in someone, you recognize that it is possible for the person to use your belief in them against you. Should this occur, it usually shatters your trust. While developing trust takes time, unfortunately, it’s relatively easy to destroy.

Your Action Plan

Weigh the costs expended when someone you trust disappoints you. Weigh the benefits gained when someone you trust lives up to your expectations.  Do a cost-benefit comparison. When rewards outweigh costs, the relationship is worth investing in.