The issue of trust

Trust is the bedrock of any relationship whether it be family, friendship, business or political. The level of trust will determine the depth, value and output of any relationship. Nobody wants to relate with a person who is not trustworthy.

“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” Stephen Covey

When there is trust there is the freedom to rely and depend on that person. Trust is feeling safe to be yourself without feeling vulnerable.

“Trust is letting go of needing to know all the details before you open your heart.” Unknown Author

Lack of trust creates a reluctance in people’s mind and makes them unduly cautious in making commitments. Where there is no trust there will be unfaithfulness, rebellion, disharmony and eventually disintegration and destruction  of the relationship.

Trust is never automatic. Trust must be consciously built and developed.

“Trust is a skill learned over time so that, like a well-trained athlete, one makes the right moves, usually without much reflection.”    Robert C. Solomon

Trust is always the product of meaningful interaction over a period of time. Very few people will trust a stranger or someone they have just met. Trust is earned and never demanded. Trust does not always come with a position ,status or title- the person in position of authority must in addition to his competence exhibit trust.

“Leadership requires five ingredients–brains, energy, determination, trust, and ethics. The key challenges today are in terms of the last two–trust and ethics.” – Fred Hilmer

The leader can build trust when he not only has passion and competence for the job but also makes his followers feel important. He must make his followers to feel safe that they are not being used to achieve the leaders objectives only but that in the process they too are achieving their own goals. They must have a sense of self worth while engaging in the leaders assignment. The leader must not just care for the work but also care for the people who are doing the work. When his followers trust him they will be willing to go the extra mile to be loyal and to give their best to get the assignments given to them done.

.”Trust each other again and again. When the trust level gets high enough, people transcend apparent limits, discovering new and awesome abilities of which they were previously unaware.” David Armistead

A leader cannot expect to be trusted if he does not trust his followers. Trust is a two way street. The followers must trust the leader and the leader must trust the followers. Trust begets trust.

“Trust is only gained when one person risks and doesn’t get harmed. It grows as both people increasingly risk and don’t get harmed in the process.” Glen Williams

Trust is indispensable in any human relationship. Trust is an inward thing which has visible consequences.

“Trust is like blood pressure. It’s silent, vital to good health, and if abused it can be deadly.”  Frank Sonnenberg

Trust is fragile. Once trust is broken things can never remain the same again.

“Trust is something that is difficult to establish. It is very fragile that needs to be taken care of.

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