Trust Me: A Communication Skills Tip

Recently someone I love brought to my attention that you can actually look at trust as a burden. If someone trusts you, they rely on you. If they rely on you, they need you. If they need you, you become responsible for them. In my opinion, this is an extremist view of what all of us long for at least once in our life--to trust and feel trusted by someone deeply. As a communication coach, it is part of my job to develop rapport with my clients. And much of that has to do with how much trust I can instill in each individual. How do I do it? I start by listening. I listen without interrupting. Then when I speak, I repeat back what I've heard while weaving in my response. I always make sure I read their body language too. Is it open or closed? Are they leaning in or away from me? Is their face relaxed or tense? All of these things are physical cues as to whether or not trust is beginning to form. With trust being at a low between employees and senior leaders, it is more important to look closely at this little thing called rapport. And while beginning to examine how trust is formed and how to maintain trust, remember that people can smell insincerity from miles away. Aim for genuine communication that uses language, gives examples and tells stories that reveal something about yourself as well. This will surely start the flow of trust and keep others engaged. To be added to Lanartco's Communication Performance Tip of the Week, please connect to this link or send your email address to info@lanartco.com.