Tag Archive for: Integrity

19 Tips on the Art of Building Trust (Plus a Bonus Tip From Warren Buffet)

As an eager student of life, I long for the knowledge and tools to further myself in the Art of Building Trust.

Building Trust plays a critical role with any relationship.

Trust is based on truth.

It is human nature that we all hunger for trust and truth.

However, in some cases you just can’t handle the truth.

Well, sometimes handling the truth includes dealing with a betrayal of trust.

Ever have someone violate your trust?

Most likely we have all experienced a violation of trust at some point in time.

In other cases, intentional or not, we may have been the culprit who broke the trust of another.

Either way, recovering broken trust can be a long and painful process.

For this particular conversation, let’s discuss Building Trust with business relationships.

It is so incredibly inspiring when you find an individual or business devoted to high integrity.

Surrounding yourself with people that you trust while conducting business is truly a gift. Why? Because money is involved.

Isn’t it interesting that the cliche states “never mix money with friends and family”?

Yet, as we build business relationships, don’t we strive to develop healthy relationships in the same manner as friends and family?

Have you ever walked out of a meeting where you felt the need to take a shower immediately after? Why? Because money was involved and you felt others at the meeting were fixed on taking yours.

So let’s add, “never mix money with friends and family AS WELL AS those who you feel the need to take a shower after meeting”.

The Art of Building Trust

Building Trust

In the early stages of a business relationship does someone trust you immediately? Most likely not.

It takes time.

The same goes with developing a skill or an art.

When watching an amazing performance of a top athlete, musician, or artist, most spectators have no idea of the hours upon hours required with rehearsing and practicing that goes on behind the scenes.

To develop that art it takes lots heart and passion. Hard work. Commitment. Determination. Commitment. Persistence. Overcoming mistakes. Practice. Routine. Healthy habits.

The same goes with healthy business relationships. It takes weeks, months or even years with……

  • Building Trust.
  • Establishing Trust.
  • Earning Trust.
  • Nurturing Trust.

However, it only takes moments to completely destroy that trust.

Yet, trust doesn’t necessarily mean that you like someone.

An interesting question popped up while discussing this topic with a colleague:

Would you rather do business with someone you like but do not trust as opposed to someone that you don’t like but fully trust?

So how is trust created?

Let’s dig further……

Definition of Trust

Building Trust

Is building trust truly an art form?

How do you define building trust?

Webster’s defines trust as:

1 a : assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something

b : one in which confidence is placed

2a : dependence on something future or contingent  : HOPE

b : reliance on future payment for property (such as merchandise) delivered  :CREDIT bought furniture on trust

3a : a property interest held by one person for the benefit of another

b : a combination of firms or corporations formed by a legal agreement especially  : one that reduces or threatens to reduce competition

4a :  CARE,  CUSTODY the child committed to her trust

b(1) : a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship

(2) : something committed or entrusted to one to be used or cared for in the interest of another

LinkedIn is an amazing platform loaded with professionals who deliver invaluable messages and helpful pieces of advice on Building Trust.

For example, Edward Zia Founder of Excellence Above Coaching in Australia (Marketing Mentor, Business Commentator, Blogger and 4Networking Leader) shared his thoughts on the Art of Building Trust:

“At the end of the day you can say what you want, people will measure trust by your consistent actions and behaviors on a daily basis. So watch out and make sure that you are doing the RIGHT thing.”

Who Do You Trust AND Who Trusts You?

Building Trust

Who is the first person that comes to your mind regarding Building Trust?

  • Your significant other
  • Parent
  • Coach
  • Teacher
  • Mentor
  • Boss
  • Friend
  • Relative
  • Religious leader

When conducting business, who do you trust? More importantly, who trusts you?

  • Employees
  • Vendors
  • Customers
  • Service providers

That is what makes referrals such a powerful tool. When a TRUSTED acquaintance recommends your product or service, immediate credibility takes place.

19 Tips for Building Trust (Plus a Bonus Tip from Warren Buffet)

Building Trust

Well I certainly do not claim to be an expert or guru on Building Trust.

My goal is to simply continue earning trust by working relentlessly with an authentic and genuine passion to help others.

So without any research or academic accolades on Building Trust, below includes “Trust Builders” that have developed over the years in my world:

  1. Choose integrity first
  2. Healthy communication
  3. Always be helping
  4. Say “I’m sorry” quickly
  5. Take accountability
  6. Be open to constructive feedback (yes, accept criticism)
  7. Confront the brutal facts (Thank you Jim Collins in “Good to Great”)
  8. Challenge others on your team to be the best
  9. LISTEN intently
  10. Be present
  11. Strive to ask really good questions
  12. Empathy
  13. Authenticity
  14. Eagerly give credit to others
  15. Know what you are talking about
  16. Ability to say when you do NOT know what you are talking about
  17. Know when to Keep. Your. Mouth. Shut. (K.Y.M.S)
  18. Strive for radical humility (Thank you Wayne Dyer for that one)
  19. Uncompromising commitment to the success of others

Lastly, a bonus tip on building trust from Warren Buffet.

Live by the Warren Buffet’s Newspaper Test:

Act as if every decision made winds up on a front page article “written by a smart but pretty unfriendly reporter” that will be read by your family, friends and neighbors.

Wrapping It Up

Thanks for stopping by to check out this post. I deeply appreciate it.

So what are your thoughts? I would love to hear your comments on how do you Build Trust?

 
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INTEGRITY: “I’d Know, and I Wouldn’t Like Myself”

Integrity

During a recent conversation on integrity with a close friend, he shared an outstanding analogy.

First, let me explain a little history.

I’ve been blessed with amazing friends. This particular gentleman has been one of my closest friends since 7th grade.

He was the class president in high school. On the homecoming court. Played on the football team.

After graduating from college, he served as a military officer.

Since then, he has built a hugely success career in the medical device industry.

Above all, this friend is an excellent father and a loving family man.

My respect and admiration for this friend runs deep.

Bottom line: he is just an incredible person. For nearly 40 years we have been through thick and thin together.

During a discussion not long ago, a question came up regarding building trust and living life with integrity.

This friend never disappoints. Let’s see what you think.

“City Slickers” Provides a Lesson on Integrity

integrity

Sure enough, my friend belts out a scene from the 1991 film, “City Slickers” with Billy Crystal.

It’s a great story about three friends coping with midlife crisis.

Each character is struggling with issues such as marriage, kids, career, aging as well as just coping with life in general.

Ed (played by actor Bruno Kirby) poses a hypothetical scenario to Billy Crystal’s character Mitch and Daniel Stern (Phil).

The discussion revolves around experiencing a “one night stand” outside of marriage.

In particular, Ed asks if Mitch would cheat on his wife if there was absolutely no chance of being caught:

ED: Let’s say a spaceship lands.
Mitch: Good, reality. Are you listening to this?
Ed: A spaceship lands and the most beautiful woman you ever saw gets out. All she wants to do is have the greatest [one night stand] in the universe with you.
Mitch: Could happen.
Ed: When it’s over, she flies away for ever. No one will ever know. You’re telling me you wouldn’t do it?
Mitch: No. Because just what you are describing actually happened to my cousin Ronald. And his wife did find out about it at the beauty parlor. They know everything there.
Ed: Forget about it.
Mitch: I’m saying it wouldn’t make it all right if Barbara didn’t know. I’d know, and I wouldn’t like myself. That’s all.

My friend concludes by explaining that he refuses to take shortcuts or make questionable decisions.

He is certainly concerned about what others would think.

However, he responds “More importantly, I’d know, and I wouldn’t like myself.”

Great answer my friend!

Warren Buffett Front Page Newspaper Test 

Integrity

Many years ago, I was introduced to Warren Buffet’s “Newspaper Test”.

Regarding reputation, Mr. Buffett strongly encourages managers to think of one guiding thought:

On reputation, Mr. Buffett urges managers to think of one guiding idea: “Do nothing you would not be happy to have an unfriendly but intelligent reporter write about on the front page of a newspaper.”

This philosophy (or rather mandate) came to light during the 1991 scandal ridden Solomon Brothers debacle. Buffet took over as CEO when illegal bidding was discovered at the Wall Street firm.

Buffet also shared another priceless piece of advice: “Lose money for the firm, even a lot of money, and I will be understanding; lose reputation for the firm, even a shred of reputation, and I will be ruthless.”

A Life Changing Tweet

 

Warren Buffett’s Front Page Newspaper Test is even more relevant today than ever before. Thanks to social media.

Anyone and everyone now has a platform to cry foul.

Committing an act that employees or customers view as immoral or lack integrity will likely land on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for the world to see.

The digital age allows all individuals to play the role of reporter or whistleblower.

On the other side of the coin, send out one inappropriate Facebook post or tasteless Tweet and your life can change in that split second.

For example, even celebrities are not immune to a public lashing after sending an offensive Tweet:

  • Rosanne Barr was kicked off her resurrected namesake TV show
  • Gilbert Gottfried is no longer the Aflac Duck
  • Anthony Wiener showed off his….namesake…..well you know how that turned out

So how does a company or individual avoid such disasters?

“Honesty and integrity are by far the most important assets of an entrepreneur.” Zig Ziglar

Maintaining high moral ground certainly goes a long way personally and professionally.

Enthusiasm is contagious. So are strong ethics.

Creating a healthy culture based on integrity and high ethics delivers dynamic results.

Customers don’t necessarily do business with companies. People do business with people.

Establishing a culture committed to high ethics and integrity starts at the top.

For more on leading with integrity and building trust, check out these posts:

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