The Association Blog

Trust is built in small, everyday actions. Here are some ways to set the stage for these actions to take place

In her session on The Art of Professional Trust in this summer’s members-only Leadership Summit, Maria Maroukian leaned into the work of social psychologist Brene Brown. “As Brown shares,” said Maroukian, “trust is earned in the smallest of moments, the small, everyday actions that we take on a consistent basis.” These everyday actions are immensely powerful: “Paying attention, listening, and gestures of genuine care and connection.”

Maroukian asked attendees to think of some people, whether in their professional or personal lives, with whom they have built trust. She then asked them to name the small but highly significant actions these people have taken to build that trust. Here’s what your colleagues in the field had to say:

• Do what you say you’re going to do. And if you can’t do it by the time you said you would, give an update on when you will
• Be willing to have difficult conversations to find resolution
• Show that you’re genuinely concerned
• Listen, then act
• Be transparent; ensure that it doesn’t look like things are being hidden
• Admit your mistakes. Show that you are vulnerable and human
• Ask for that person’s opinion on something. Make them project lead on a task you delegate.
• Give someone autonomy
• Don’t fall prey to your judgments or assumptions, and assume someone has noble intentions
• Listen carefully and with curiosity

What would you add to this list of small, everyday actions that build trust?

Photo: Unsplash