Building Trust: A Key to Success in Every Arena

Trust is the bedrock of thriving teams, governments, businesses, and personal relationships. Without it, the road to success is fraught with obstacles. In today's climate of conflict and distrust, how do we cultivate trust, especially when engaging with those who hold different views?

The answer lies in meaningful dialogue and conversation.

In every sphere of life whether at work, in social circles, or at home—we yearn for safety, community, and a sense of belonging. These fundamental needs form the foundation of strong teams and healthy relationships.

However, building trust is no simple task.

It's far easier to retreat to our own corners, validate our own perspectives, and dismiss those of others. This often results in us talking past one another instead of engaging in constructive dialogue. At its worst, this tendency feeds our need to be right rather than our need to understand.

Rather than fostering empathy and collaboration to tackle today's complex challenges, we often choose to amplify our voices in an attempt to win arguments.

But is this strategy working?

The honest answer is: It’s not.

Now is the time to rebuild trust in both our professional and personal lives. We need to break out of our silos and embrace more meaningful conversations. Here are a few approaches to help you foster better dialogue and build trust:

Be an Active Listener

As a successful leader, your track record can be both a strength and a weakness. The more successful you are, the more you might assume your next decision will also be correct. This can lead to a tendency to listen less to other perspectives.

Active listening is a fundamental component of healthy conversations. Many people listen with the intent to reply rather than to understand. They wait for their turn to speak, missing the opportunity to truly connect. This diminishes trust and weakens relationships.

The best leaders listen attentively to both what is said and what is left unsaid. They create a space for "we-centric" conversations that enhance problem-solving and trust-building.

“The mark of a good conversationalist is not that you can talk a lot. The mark is that you can get others to talk a lot. Thus, good schmoozers are good listeners, not good talkers.” - Guy Kawasaki

Embrace Curiosity

Channel your inner child and embrace the curiosity that leads to deeper understanding. Being curious involves asking questions without preconceived notions or expecting certain answers. It is a crucial step toward becoming a better listener. Too often, questions are asked with an agenda or with the answer already known.

True curiosity means being open to influence. It doesn’t mean that someone else is right and you are wrong; it means that someone else may have valuable insights that could lead to better solutions.

"Be curious, not judgmental." - Walt Whitman

Stay Agile

Today's challenges are increasingly complex, and solving them requires collaboration. The best cultures and conversations are agile, meaning they are flexible and open to diverse perspectives. This agility allows for co-creation of solutions, fostering a culture of trust and success.

“He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted.” – Lao Tzu

Building trust takes time and effort, and it can be easily lost. Let’s leave the drama to the politicians and focus on fostering trust in our teams and communities.

Decide to be the leader who initiates and participates in trust-building conversations. This commitment will unite your team, strengthen your organization, and contribute to a more trusting society.

Isn't this a gift worth giving and receiving?

Lazar & Company offers expert services for organizations looking to enhance leadership, improve team dynamics, and foster a culture of trust. Learn more about our executive coaching and virtual assistant services today.