Extending Trust

Trust is something we all want from others. If it weren’t for that, we’d have no meaningful relationships. Not as much would get done without it. And we’d all be insecure about everything.

What is trust? It is defined as “reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.”

Trust involves belief. If we believe in something, we can say we have confidence that it will come to pass. For example, I believe that the sun will rise in the morning. I have confidence it will happen. I won’t spend a second worrying that it won’t. That is confidence at its essence.

We have problems with extending trust because others have at times done us wrong. Sometimes the event we hoped would turn out well doesn’t. This brings doubts, and if we nourish them, we’ll find it difficult to trust again.

But life is that way. This reality introduces risk, which is something that scares us. What if it doesn’t work out? Well, what if it does? It can go both ways. We have to take risks to get things done and to make any progress in life, so risk we must.

There are ways we can minimize risk.

When it comes to people, think the best of them. Chances are they are capable of more than you might think initially. You might have to stretch them to get there. But it’s worth the risk. Take small risks at first. Depending on the task, you might have someone else you do trust fully accompany them in the early stages of development. While they’re earning your trust, take time to evaluate what level of trust they’ve earned and determine how much more you can risk. Then take the risk. Then evaluate them again. This is the essence of what President Reagan meant when he said, “Trust, but verify.”

If you’re careful to consistently evaluate those you trust, you’re more likely to uncover issues where trust might be violated. Handle these with care, but do so quickly so larger problems aren’t created. When problems go unaddressed, scandals are born. Regular evaluation will go far to prevent this.

Trust must be earned. Losing it is costly. But when you deliver on someone’s trust, you build integrity.

Integrity is the golden currency of trust. Those who have it will have a solid record of fulfillment.

Trust that.