Trust is built on a foundation of competence, dependability, honesty, and consideration, and it cannot be easily faked. Competence means doing what you say you can, being honest about your limitations, and showing a willingness to learn and ask for help when needed. Dependability requires clarity and follow-through, ensuring that commitments are thoughtfully evaluated, clearly communicated, and consistently honored—whether through acceptance, rejection, counteroffers, or a commitment to respond later. Honesty entails avoiding inaccuracies or omissions, maintaining consistency in your words, and setting realistic expectations. Finally, consideration reflects genuine care for both yourself and others by identifying shared interests, listening actively, and ensuring that your words and actions align with thoughtful evaluation. Together, these elements foster authentic trust, a cornerstone of meaningful relationships and effective collaboration.
Competent – Do what you say you can (not perfect, honest what can and can’t do)
-acknowledge what you don’t know
-be willing to learn
-ask for help when you need it
Dependable (Doing what you say you do)
-Commitment being requested?
-Ask for clarification
-Evaluate the request
-Be Clear (respond)
–Accept
–Reject
–Counteroffer
–Commit to respond laterHonest
-Avoid inaccuracies and omissions
-Be consistent in what you say
-Set realistic expectations
Considerate
-interest in self and others
—self-interest not good
-actions-
-identify common interests
-listen to others
-evaluate your words and actions
Trust is a hard thing to fake!