As a professional in Human Resources, I've found that building trust with clients or employees begins with establishing openness. This involves a consistent effort to ensure transparency in communication and demonstrating genuine empathy for their concerns. For me, it’s about going beyond simply 'listening', it’s active listening with a focus on understanding the underlying needs or fears. When working with clients who may be hesitant, I make it clear that I respect their boundaries and aim to create a safe environment where they can express themselves freely. Trust is built progressively, and by combining empathy, transparency, and clear communication, I have been able to foster stronger, lasting connections with my clients.

Start by creating a safe, non-judgmental environment where they feel respected and valued. Begin with active listening, showing genuine interest in their thoughts and concerns without pushing for details. Build rapport by sharing relevant experiences or offering empathy to help them feel understood. Clarify that their confidentiality is respected, explaining how their personal information is protected. Encourage small disclosures first, allowing them to open up at their own pace. Gradually, through patience, transparency, and consistent support, trust can develop, fostering a deeper connection.

Building trust and consent policies about privacy shared during the counseling can work on this point while working or assisting them, let them know that these details are safe and secure with us and try to make them feel valued, building positive business goodwill and personalized experience will help them to feel inclusive being sensible and effective communication can be the game changer "Listening and understanding your clients makes them feel valued and respected, and it assists them with the right required service...Business is all about people.

I'm not sure if this works for others but it works for me. I usually give them non specific examples of previous cases that were challenging and then we established a strong bond.. I also ask not so personal details in other categories of their professional lives. This techniques gets them comfortable just talking to me in general and eventually the connection happens.