How do you build trust with your network?

There are 3 things I want you to do in order to build trust with other people. First, Be Honest about who you are. Be genuine in your interactions and transparent about your intentions. Avoid exaggerations or misleading information. People appreciate honesty and openness. 2nd. Do what you said you were going to do! When you make a promise or commitment, deliver on it! People will learn to depend on you and that builds trust over time. 3rd, be discreet and maintain confidentiality. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of the information shared with you. Avoid sharing sensitive information without permission. Trust is built on the understanding that you can be trusted with sensitive matters.

I utilise my emotional intelligence and observational skills to show up for people the way I want them to show up and support me. Due to these authentic actions, my networks are constantly growing and evolving just as I am.

Authenticity is founded upon self knowledge. It an helpful to engage in some self-analysis. Perhaps reflecting on the following questions: -What aspects of your role feel very natural to you? -What aspects of your role do you really enjoy? -Which traits to you admire in your colleagues? -Which tasks to you find challenging? These questions can help you determine your own strengths and identify where you have gaps. Think about your own values too, consider what is most important to you, it may be helpful to write a list of as many values you can think of (or search for a list online) and think about which would be your top 5. You can return to your answers anytime you feel unsure about how to proceed.

Remember that we all have something to offer. Throughout our working life we will encounter challenges, likely you have learned many lessons and developed skills that now feel completely natural. This knowledge could be invaluable to someone else. Investigate if there are opportunities outside of your day to day tasks for contribution. Could you provide mentoring? Could you support, join or even start a network or group to support colleagues? Could you give, even just an hour, of your time to help a colleague with a task they are finding challenging? Celebrate your colleagues successes, take the time to thank them for the contributions they have made.

Those minutes before and after meetings, the lunch and coffee breaks, are all valuable opportunities to get to know your colleagues better. Asking a colleague about their weekend whilst the kettle boils can tell you a lot. When joining a new team ask if your new colleagues would be up for a half hour chat, find out how they came to their current role, what they enjoy about it. Be attentive in conversations, be observant. Don't be afraid to reach out if you come across something that reminds you of an interaction. If you know a colleague likes a particular subject and then you see a documentary or a hear a podcast about it for example-send it to them. Let them know that you care enough to remember what they have told you.

We all have a busy inbox but never let an email go unanswered. If you can't get to it straight away let the sender know, tell them you can get to it at a (specific) later date and ask if this will work for them. If a colleague shares a progress update in a meeting, reach out after and find out more, particularly if includes a topic you have an interest in. Ask them how it's going, ask if it would be useful to talk through anything. Utilise any online groups you may have at work, reply to peoples questions and comments, share things you have found helpful or insightful. If you aren't able to answer a question right away, let them know you will go and find out, make sure you get back to them (schedule it in your calendar if you need to).

The best way to find out peoples needs is to ask them. People never mind being asked if they prefer an email, a call or chat message for example, particularly if it results in you observing their preferences. Observe how people communicate with you and adapt accordingly, for example if they request you put everything in an email after having conversations with them then likely it is better to email them in the first place. For meetings send out an agenda or clear meeting objective in advance, for those who like to prepare this will be really helpful. Also, make things accessible, use easy to read fonts in emails and papers. Re-affirm that you are approachable, always invite colleagues to reach out if they have questions or concerns.

Try replacing the word 'humble' with 'human' and this sixth tip becomes so much easier to activate at work. You are not a machine during work hours, you are simply focussing on what you're delivering. You are still impacted every day - whether at work or not- by changes in your body, your mind and your social situation. Acknowledge that your 'performance' won't always be linear as a result and show you are always open to develop. Moreover, extend the same understanding and expectations to others.