Building Trust
Trust is more important now than ever.
Let’s talk about trust, or should I say, the lack thereof.
The pandemic has left us all shaken and questioning our ability to trust. Some of us are heading back to the office, while others are being left in the lurch, and the rest of us are only going in for a few days a week. This fragmented work environment is making it tough to build trust.
Now, let me tell you something about trust — it’s not something that can be built overnight. Trust is something that is earned over a long period of time, through repeated interactions. So how can we build trust under these circumstances?
Recent studies have shown that acknowledging the emotions of others is a key factor in fostering trust. It’s simple, really. When we verbally recognize someone else’s feelings, we show that we care, and that effort is perceived as genuine. It’s a powerful way to form deeper connections with others.
But, let me be clear, not all acknowledgments are created equal. If emotional acknowledgement is perceived as being motivated by selfish reasons, it won’t be as effective.
People will assume that the act is done for personal gain, rather than to help others. And in competitive settings, people may question the intent of the acknowledger, further eroding trust.
So, let’s keep this in mind, folks. If you want to build trust, acknowledge the emotions of others in a genuine and authentic way.
It’s a small effort that can yield big results.
