The Catalyst #19: Being Trustworthy

...because many things depend on it.

Trust is the foundation for everything. Still, do we have everyone around us who we can blindly call "trustworthy"?

Probably not.

Why so?

Because being trustworthy isn't everyone's cup of tea.

But what do we understand by being trustworthy?

TL;DR

In this edition you'll find -

1. What does "being trustworthy" mean?
2. How does this skill help in career advancements & self development?
3. Why isn't it easy for everyone to be "trustworthy"?
4. What are the strategies to help develop & demonstrate this trait of being trustworthy?
5. Conclusion + 3 FREE downloadable resources & link to two of my Kindle Edition ebooks
6. Get your PMP in 8 weeks with Gabor Stramb & clear it in first attempt
7. Visit my topmate page at https://topmate.io/rahul_pai

What does "being trustworthy" mean?

Being trustworthy goes beyond just telling the truth; it's about consistently demonstrating honesty, reliability, and authenticity in all your actions.

1. Being honest: Always tell the truth, no matter if its difficult or inconvenient. This allows people to trust one's words.
2. Being genuine: Being authentic in one's actions & interactions. Being what they are & not pretending to be someone they aren't.
3. Being reliable: Stick to your word & commitments. Deliver what you promise, act in accordance with what you project yourselves to be. This makes people count on you.

How can this skill help in professional & personal lives?

1. Building strong relationships: Trust is the foundation of any meaningful relationship, both personal & professional. When people trust you, they feel safe & valued, which leads to deeper connections as they open up themselves with you.
2. Word of mouth promotion & referrals: Trustworthiness often leads to positive word-of-mouth recommendations. People who trust you are more likely to refer you to others, which can be invaluable in building your reputation.
3. Taking on new responsibilities & accountability: Trustworthy individuals are often entrusted with greater responsibilities. Managers & peers know they can rely on you, which can lead to handling leadership roles & better career advancement.

Why isn't it easy for everyone to be "trustworthy"?

1. Unable to see good in others: Some people struggle to trust others, which makes it harder for them to be trustworthy themselves. If they assume others are dishonest, they may feel less pressure to maintain integrity themselves.
2. Past experiences: Negative past experiences, such as betrayal or broken trust, can make people refrain of trusting others easily thereby being untrustworthy in future relationships.
3. Self-interest: People who are too focused on their own interests may cut corners, break promises, or deceive others to get ahead. This short-sighted approach undermines their trustworthiness over time.

What are the strategies to help develop & demonstrate this trait of being trustworthy?

1. Keep your word: The simplest & most powerful way to build trust is by doing what you say you will do. As they say, people don't trust what you promised but what you delivered. Following through on promises builds confidence & reliability.
2. Don’t over promise: Be realistic about what you can deliver. If you over promise and under deliver, your reputation may take a hit & you may lose trust.
3. Don’t flatter: False praise or flattery can come across as insincere. Being authentic & honest in your feedback strengthens trust in your words. Dare to call spade, a spade.
4. Don’t back bite: Gossiping or speaking ill of others behind their back damages your trustworthiness. If people see you as someone who talks negatively about others, they’ll assume you do the same to them, thereby keeping themselves from opening up to you due to distrust. As they say, discuss ideas, not people.
5. Keep secrets, if entrusted with: If someone shows trust in you & shares something which they expect to be kept a secret (unless a crime or something unlawful) from others, don't break their trust. Building trust takes time, breaking it doesn't.

In the words of Chris Butler, "trust is earned when actions meet words".

With trust you can make almost anything possible. It helps build relationships, helps grow businesses as well as helps advance careers.

Not only being trustworthy is essential but it is also a skill that can help you stand out from the crowd of talented people who lack in this skill.

It takes years of conscious efforts & control to acquire this skill of being trustworthy. As I said before, it isn't everyone's cup of tea.

In this edition of The Catalyst, we absorbed what "being trustworthy" means, how it can help in career advancements & self development, why many fail to acquire this skill as well as actionable strategies for acquiring & demonstrating this skill.

And as simple as it can be, yet no rocket science there.

I hope this edition was helpful in giving you practical insights into building this rare yet utmost desirable skill & a major catalyst in one's career & self growth. I hope this edition will encourage you, challenge you & help you master at becoming "trustworthy".

If yes, consider spreading the word & sharing this with your network.

And remember, being trustworthy is not an easy thing. As someone rightly said - "Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair."

Do you want to share how important you think this skill is?

Do you think people around you consider you as trustworthy?

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FREE downloadable resources (for anyone interested to grow)

Guide To Effective Delegation

Guide To Effective Conflict Management

Guide To Effective Decision Making

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