Top tips to gain trust

Released 24/06/2009

Improving trust can help with business

Creating genuine trust and rapport, especially in business and professional life, was always a pre-requisite for closing deals and getting ahead of the pack. Now, courtesy of the current 'trust under the spotlight' scenarios playing out before our eyes in the media, the concept of creating trust and keeping trustworthy is an essential part of our personal branding image and reputation. Leading reputation management expert, Tessa Hood, outlines her 10 Trust Factors as an accentuator for taking control of your personal brand image.

Trust Factor One: Listen with respect. Take the time to really hear what your colleagues are saying and what he/she wants. Thinking too hard about what you're going to say in response while they're talking can lead to a perceived lack of attention and a feeling of their not being focused. Try not to look over their shoulder when they're speaking.

Trust Factor Two: Has no hidden agendas. Ensure that there is real transparency, clarity and pro-activity in all your dealings with people, never assume anything and never be seen to be taking advantage of anything.

Trust Factor Three: Imbues great key soft skills - i.e. when you're first introduced; warm facial expressions, positive body language, (i.e. no folded arms, or fidgety movements), a well-modulated voice, careful attention to dress, a firm handshake and respectful eye contact, will make first and future meetings memorable for the right reasons.

Trust Factor Four: Mirrors respect. Your own self-respect should be mirrored in your respect for your client. Hold your own position and make tangible your respect for colleagues through remembering and having interest in small personal details such as their holiday, family etc.

Trust Factor Five: Confidentiality. Total confidentially is expected and should be delivered without question. Self-awareness and trust has to be earned and not taken for granted.

Trust Factor Six: Manage expectations. Make sure yours are managed as promised. Obviously nothing damages trust more than under-delivering in any way on any project.

Trust Factor Seven: Humility. Subtlety and authentic humility are key ways to gently build rapport with your marketplace, not everyone wants their suppliers to be blowing their own horns too loudly.

Trust Factor Eight: Kindness. Having the ability and desire to create authentic rapport is a major factor in the development of great relationships - most of us enjoy being popular and likeability is a big part of trust.

Trust Factor Nine: Honesty. A reciprocal belief in the individual and his/her reputation, as well as your own, can only lead to an open and truthful communication and understanding between you.

Trust Factor Ten: Show confidence. Your innate ability to deliver all of the above shows a natural self-confidence and self-belief that will nurture your relationships with others. This develops the trust in yourself and your business that will build your client's success and, most of all, your reputation.

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