The Trust Formula

Trust is a must. As effective influencers for good, we want trust to grow among those on our teams so we can more effectively make the WHYs of our organizations happen.

The formula for building Trust equals Intimacy plus Reliability plus Credibility divided by Selfishness times Time. Or put differently:

Trust = [(Intimacy + Reliability + Credibility) / Selfishness] (Time)

Five Key Components to Trust-Building

1. Intimacy comes from knowing and experiencing what is important to another person. Intimacy grows as we learn the personal hopes and challenges of another and we share our vulnerabilities in return. Intimacy is a privilege not to be taken lightly.

2. Reliability, sometimes called steadfastness, refers to being present when the chips are down. It means sacrificing something valuable to help another get something he or she wants. It implies devotion and loyalty and is built by ongoing contact, mutual interest, and pursuit of a common WHY.

3. Credibility means you have the skills, knowledge, and experience to get something done. If you are a brain surgeon, you have both the scholastic training and the successful experience operating on peoples’ brains. Credibility is earned by focusing on an area of expertise and obtaining the credentials necessary to convince others that you can do what you say you can do.

4. Time constricts or enhances all of the above traits. Trust, like wine, gets better over time. But also like good wine, the initial ingredients must be of high quality for it to improve over time.

5. Selfishness can kill trust in an instant. If a sense of self on either side of the relationship is used for the benefit of one at the expense of the other, trust can evaporate in a moment. It can be rebuilt, but usually on a new foundation determined by the scars of experience.

Work on building intimacy, reliability, and credibility. Guard against selfishness. Give your team some time. And see trust grow!