When someone has been burned in a previous business relationship, trust likely won't come easily in his subsequent relationships. To remedy that, you'll have to prove your trustworthiness through acts that prove you reliable and responsible. Similarly, when you break the trust in your relationship with a client, co-worker or supervisor, you'll need to start from scratch, proving yourself worthy of her trust. In either situation -- building or rebuilding trust -- you have to be proactive and take the appropriate steps to achieve a trustworthy status with the other person.
Instructions
1. Listen to what your client, co-worker or supervisor has to say without interrupting. Communicate your thoughts in an honest and direct way. Don't share details about private information with other people. This will help others trust you because they will feel valued by you because you listen, thoughtfully respond and keep things confidential.
2. Keep commitments that you schedule unless you have a justifiable reason -- emergency, illness -- that prohibits you from doing so. Follow through with any promises you make. When you demonstrate that you are reliable and a person of your word, people will trust you.
3. State your intentions to your co-worker, client or supervisor and strive to meet them. For instance, if you're a Realtor working with a client to find her a house, tell her that you understand what she is looking for and you appreciate her willingness to allow you to assist her in the search. State that you will keep in constant communication with her to inform her of new properties. These type of statements will instill confidence in the person that you are trustworthy.
4. Present yourself in a professional, competent manner. If you dress well and speak knowledgeably, people are more likely to trust you. Monitor your body language so it matches your speech. For instance, don't sigh or roll your eyes when telling a person that you'll make something your top priority.
5. Answer all inquiries honestly. If you don't know an answer to a question, admit it. Then, inform the person that you will find the answer and report back to her. Don't withhold information unless it's private. If someone asks you for details that are confidential, tell her that you agreed to keep the information confidential or you would gladly share it with them.
6. Demonstrate flexibility within reason. If a client asks you to do something you wouldn't normally do, exert a little more effort and do it. When people see that you're willing to go out of your way to assist them, they're more likely to trust you.
