There is a paradox about trust. On the one hand, in society or organizational settings, we need to be trusted and need to trust those with whom we interact or work. On the other hand, few of us were taught how to trust others. At school, in sports, and at work, we have been taught to compete to win. And in a corporation, we may have even learned to distrust the motives of others as well as to protect ourselves.

Trust is an essential component of any successful relationship, whether it’s in personal or professional life. Trust is the foundation upon which we build our relationships and helps us to feel secure and confident in our interactions with others. In a society, trust plays a critical role in creating a stable and cohesive community, where individuals feel confident in their dealings with each other and are able to work together towards common goals. Building trust in society is crucial to promoting stability, fostering cooperation, and promoting the well-being of all individuals. It is the foundation upon which we can build a more harmonious and productive society. So, how to build trust? So, how do we evolve into a society and the workplace where high levels of trust can be achieved and sustained? How do we find that common ground that will enable us to believe in each other, trust each other’s motives, and build strong relationships? It is a quest, a journey that may never end, but it is one that we have considered the foundation of the trust-centric collaborative approach.  

Trust is the fundamental building block of human relationships, a cornerstone of how we choose to live our lives, and a standard we use to evaluate our own actions, as well as those of others. It is an expression of what we value most in ourselves and others. It is a frame of reference or way of looking at things. 

Human Behaviours and Characteristics that build Trust

1. Be Honest

The message we convey should always, always be the truth. If we are caught telling a lie, no matter how small, our trustworthiness will be diminished. If we were asked, answer questions honestly and tell the truth, even when it’s difficult. “Talk Straight” is honesty in action. It’s based on the principles of integrity, honesty, and straightforwardness. It means two things: to tell the truth and to leave the right impression. And both are vital to building trust. 

2, Be Respectful – Respect and Empathy

We should treat everyone with respect. There are two critical dimensions to this behavior—first, to behave in ways that show fundamental respect for people, and second, to behave in ways that demonstrate caring and concern. When we are sincere and we are respectful of everyone we meet then it makes us easier to like and trust.  We should demonstrate Respect is based on the principles of respect, kindness, love, and civility. The overarching principle, however, is the intrinsic worth of individuals—the importance of each human being as a part of the human family. This behavior is the Golden Rule in action—a rule that is actually recognized by almost every culture and religion worldwide. It is very important for building trust whether in an organization or in society in general.  

3. Show Loyalty – Show Gratitude and Give Credit

We should show loyalty which is based on the principles of gratitude, and recognition. We should recognize others’ contributions, show gratitude and give credit. By showing loyalty, we not only affirm the value of an individual’s contribution, but we also create an environment in which people feel encouraged to be innovative and collaborative and to freely share ideas, ultimately multiplying the level of trust.

4. Be Transparent and Provide Clarity

Transparency is about being open, and authentic and telling the truth in a way people can verify.  It is about having open conversations with colleagues and presenting them with your honest view rather than concealing or spinning information. It enables people to see. Good communication and clarity or being clear about what you have or have not committed to and what has been agreed upon.  It gives them a sense of comfort and confidence because they know there’s nothing being hidden. It removes many reasons for distrust.

5. Be Apologetic / Show Regret / Sorry

We should admit our mistakes and be apologetic. When we attempt to hide our mistakes, people know that we are being dishonest and it hurts trust heavily.  When we admit our mistakes others see us be more like them —everyone makes mistakes. Close proximity is also a determinant of the level of trust. A more close relationship means more trust. If we pretend that we never make mistakes, we’ll make it difficult for others to trust us because we have created an unnecessary difference between us and them.  

Be Listening / Listen First

A number of surveys found that we are more likely to trust someone who listens to our point of view. Listening to another person’s point of view, even if we disagree, is very important- it helps build trust. Listening places us in another person’s shoes and look at things from their perspective. When we listen to others whether friends or colleagues, they feel valued and it also gives both parties a better understanding of the situation so we can make better decisions. Listening is also another way of showing respect and making others feel trusted.

7. Be Consistent / Show Integrity

Trust often results from consistency. We tend to have the most trust in people who are there for us consistently through good times and bad. Regularly showing someone that you’re there for them is an effective way to build trust. In an organizational setting,  this is about communicating the same messages to colleagues and not changing what we have already agreed. Equally important is consistency in behavior, which allows those who work with us to anticipate what we might do in different situations.

8. Keep Commitment / Promise

The point of building trust is for others to believe what we say. Doing what we say we will do means that others can rely on us and this is key to building interpersonal trust. It is also important to understand that building trust requires not only keeping the promises we make but also not making promises we are unable to keep. To build trust we have to master this because people trust people whose word is their bond. Keeping our word shows others what we expect from them, and in turn, they’ll be more likely to treat us with respect, developing further trust in the process.

9. Be Sharing Information / Answers Questions

Answer messages. Help others get answers; share your knowledge. People like being in the know, so when appropriate, sharing information on the organization, ourselves and the work shows that we have no hidden agendas. Sharing information demonstrates that we want to include everyone, not control. Helping another person, even if it provides no benefit to us, builds trust. Authentic kindness helps to build trust.

10. Demonstrate / Extend Trust / Be Trustors

Trust is generative. By that, we mean that people are more likely to trust another person when they feel trusted by that person. When we extend our trust and let others feel trusted, it creates reciprocity and encourages our trustee to trust us in return. When we trust others then other people tend to trust us in return. 

In conclusion, building trust in society is a critical component for promoting stability, progress, and happiness. It requires a combination of transparent policies and actions, open communication, and consistent delivery of results. Trust can also be built through individual and collective efforts, where people work together to promote mutual respect, accountability, and integrity. It takes time and effort to build trust, but it is a crucial investment that can pay off in the long run. By focusing on transparency, honesty, loyalty, apology, reliability, and consistent communication, businesses, and organizations can create an environment where trust is valued and fostered. Building trust can help businesses and organizations establish a strong foundation for growth, success, and long-term customer satisfaction. However, it is important to note that trust is not something that can be achieved overnight and must be nurtured and maintained over time. Nevertheless, by investing in building trust, we can create a more harmonious and thriving society.