How well do you build and maintain trust?
Find below 7 stats that show why trust is so important along with 7 ways you can build or repair trust.
And, you can self assess: what are you doing well to build trust? What can you improve?
Why Trust Matters
In a large 2017 US study, researchers found that compared with people at low-trust companies, people at high-trust companies reported:
- 74% less stress
- 50% higher productivity
- 106% more energy at work
- 13% fewer sick days
- 76% more engagement
- 29% more satisfaction in their lives
- 40% less burnout
Trust is a leading driver of well-being and performance. With trust, performance skyrockets. Without trust, performance tanks. It’s that simple.
Seven Ways to Build Trust
Be True to Character
Know your values and resolve to never compromise on your values, no matter the circumstance, no matter the rationale. Be true to character and you’ll be true to people and they’ll be true to you.
Deliver
Do high-quality work and finish it on schedule. If you know you’re going to miss a deadline, communicate that you won’t make it and inform the other party of when you’ll be done. This makes you dependable and worthy of trust.

Be Responsive
Have a reputation for returning phone calls, answering texts, responding to emails, and following through. Responsiveness is not a common trait these days, but it is a common trait in those who earn the trust of others. Commit to being responsive.
Communicate Effectively
Communicate your intentions, motives, and commitments so that your actions and interests are transparent. Can you have trust without transparency? It’s very difficult. If people understand who you are, what you’re doing, and why you’re doing it, trust follows.
Tell the Truth
This is violated enough that it needs to be said. And, there are times when it’s hard to tell the truth. It sometimes takes courage, ownership, accountability, and responsibility. So, commit to always telling the truth, especially when it’s hard, no matter the consequence.

Give Trust
As with most other things in life, you get what you give. There is karma in trust too! 🙂 Give trust to those around you and in your relationships, and they’ll trust you in return.
Be Consistent
If you practice the above skills only part of the time, then you’ll lose the trust of others. Trust is a function of doing the above things consistently. Consistency fills the trust reservoir.
Wrapping Up
So there it is: Be true to character. Deliver. Be responsive. Communicate clearly. Tell the truth. Give trust. And, do these things consistently. If you do, you become worthy of trust and you’ve earned the trust of others. That’s powerful. That’s the mark of a superior leader. That’s becoming your best.
“If we do not trust one another, we are already defeated.” – Alison Croggon
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