How to Establish Trust & Credibility With People

Trust and credibility improves organizational performance.

The world is in a crisis of trust, according to Steve Covey. Trust is lacking in financial markets, in employee-management relationships and between CEOs and companies. As a result, costly regulations and laws are increasingly implemented to oversee relationships, at an estimated annual cost of 1.1 trillion dollars, according to Covey. Dale Carnegie & Associates emphasize that lack of trust between employees and management reduces employee performance. Building trust and credibility should be a goal of all organizations and all partners in any relationship that is expected to produce desirable results.

Instructions

1. Build your credibility. Credibility is the foundation that trust is built upon. Steve Covey writes about the "4 Cores of Credibility," which are interdependent and must be simultaneously implemented: integrity, intent, capabilities and results.

2. Know what you are talking about and what you are doing. Speak objectively and back up what you say with research and facts. Be ready to provide evidence for what you say. Obtain credentials as evidence of your ability to perform and deliver what you promise.

3. Be predictable and consistent as much as possible. While spontaneity has its allure, it does not support the notion of trust. Consistently performing and doing what you say you will helps others feel confident in you and more secure when you make decisions.

4. Create a sense of transparency. Listen to others and invite dialogue. Watch what you say to others. Speak authoritatively and do not respond out of emotion. Set realistic expectations for yourself and others. Communicate openly.

5. Be accountable for your actions and decisions. Admit your mistakes quickly and admit when you do not know something. Rely on experts to be the expert. If you do not know an answer, it is better to admit it and find the correct answer from someone who knows.

6. Trust others. By modeling a trusting role, you will help others feel that you can be trusted.

7. Deliver on your commitments and do what you say you will. Share your plans and timelines. Keep your partner or partners in the loop at all times. Be the first person to communicate deviations from plans and changes.

8. Practice ethical behavior. Your character is important when it comes to being trustworthy. Your behavior establishes a pattern, and a pattern of unethical behavior becomes a challenge for building trust. It is important that you adhere to your beliefs and "walk your talk" in all the paths you take.

References

• Linkage: How the Best Leaders Build Trust
• JobDig: Build Credibility and Trust With These Career Boosting Tips
• Dale Carnegie Training: Build Trust, Credibility and Respect
• Sales Help: Step 7 Establish Trust and Rapport
• Covey Link: The Speed of Trust
• Management Direct: Establish Credibility Before Asking Your Customers for Trust