Can I Trust You?

The other day a customer asked me if they could trust me..wow..what a shock. It seems that the “other” vendor really abused their relationship. Networking is built on trust..

Can you still be trusted? Do you trust me? Do we really trust each other?

Trust is quite possibly the single most important prerequisite in any business and personal engagement. Unfortunately, it can also be the most fragile. Recent events in the economy have spilled over into all business sectors and have shaken the confidence levels in all aspects of life.

• Trust you?
• Trust you more or less now than they did a year ago?
• Have faith in you?
• Have more or less faith in you now than they did a year ago?

These are important questions. If you are uncertain about the answers now might be a good time for a 360 assessment.

77 percent of the people surveyed said they refused to buy products or services from companies they distrusted. That's quite a sobering thought for anyone, whether you operate in a business to business organization or one that directly serves the consumer.

What about those other 23 percent? Did they eat paint chips as a kid?

So what steps can you take to actively try to recover trust that may have been lost?

1. Be Inspirational: Right now, it is more critical than ever that you as the leader are able to create hope. You need to build back your people's confidence in you, and in your organization. They need to know that if they respond to what you are asking of them that the future will be brighter than today.
2. Be Visible: It is unlikely that sitting behind your desk or hiding in your office is going to cut it. Get out there, be visible and let people know that you are willing to confront the issues head on.
3. Earn Their Respect: If you are asking your people to go the extra mile for you right now, make sure they know you are willing to do the same for them.
4. Communicate: People's sense of fear tends to grow when they are kept in the dark. We naturally fear the unknown, and tend to think the worst when confidence is low. On the other hand most people can handle the truth and will trust and respect you more if you communicate openly, and often.
5. Self-Awareness: Take a moment to look at yourself. Are you still acting in accordance with your own values or are you sacrificing some of your core beliefs in return for some short term relief. Do people still see you as authentic? Does the room light up when you walk in or when you walk out? Now more than ever is when your people are looking to you to stand up for what you believe in and lead with integrity.

Put all of these into practice and make them part of who you are as a leader.