Obtaining Trust in Business.

Everyone these days seems to be a skeptic. With all the bad news in business promoted on national news, it is not hard to imagine why this is. I’ve learned that once you obtain the trust of your employees or clients that life becomes much easier. Trust, however, isn’t easily earned.

Below are three ways you can help promote trust between yourself and another party. I’ve tried and tested all of these steps and they do work!

1.       Eliminate the cell phone check at a meeting. No one can trust another person who isn’t present at a meeting. If you are going to lunch or a meeting with someone, leave the cell phone in the car. I’m serious. If you have someone’s attention for a whole hour without showing them there is something better on the end of your phone- you will easily gain their trust.

2.       Truly listen. This is hard for many people to do as we all want to share experiences and speak about ourselves.  Listening and then repeating what we hear to others is a cue that we are trustworthy because we are interested.  Paraphrase what you heard at any meeting back to the key people involved to ensure that you are a listener and you are willing to communicate. This practice builds trust!

3.       Close the door. Yes, close the door for every meeting you have with a person if you have an office. This shows that you are putting them first and setting the outside world apart. I even like to say “I know this meeting isn’t going to address confidential information but I like to keep my conversations private. It helps me confide in important people, like yourself, should a situation arise.”

Learning to trust and learning to be trustworthy are two different things. As a business owner, you have to be trustworthy in a world that doesn’t reflect this message. Start implementing the three tips above and you will be on your way.

Until tomorrow,

Coco the CEO