Yesterday, I shared my current favorite definition of trust:
Trust is defined as choosing to risk making something you value vulnerable to another person's actions.
The part of the definition I want to emphasize is that trust is a choice.
Sure, that's obvious, but emphasizing it leads to the next question: what do we need in order to make that choice?
One answer is this handy "trust equation":
This shows us that there are three elements that increase trust: credibility, reliability, and authenticity. And that the perception of self-interest reduces trust.
Simple enough. Let's put it to work.
Here's a quick exercise to try:
Take a work situation that is tense or otherwise lacking in trust
Consider the situation and your counterparty
Assign each term in the equation a 1-10 rating, and see the resulting score
Which element(s) would make the biggest difference to trust here, from your perspective? How might those be improved? Take these into a constructive conversation with that person.
(Bonus: score yourself from their side of the relationship, taking their POV.)