Trust is the glue that holds relationships together and when we let down our barriers and learn to trust it will help us to develop healthier and stronger connections.
Building trust will also help us to be more open and receptive to new experiences and in turn make our lives richer and more interesting. Beyond our comfort zone is where the real magic happens in relationships.
Building trust, however, takes time and commitment. In order to build trust, we will need to be patient and take small steps and each relationship is bound to be different. In many ways it takes courage to build trust and it also takes time. So here are my top three tips for building trust in relationships:
Trust yourself
The key to building trust is to first of all trust ourselves, because if we don’t trust ourselves then why should we expect anyone else to?
Being true to ourselves and our personal values is key to living a life of integrity.
Cultivating a strong sense of self-efficacy and self-compassion will help us to feel grounded and more confident.
Let go of the past
Being able to let go of negative experiences from the past can help us to positively move forward and trust. It will also help us to feel happier and more resilient.
There may well be occasions where we have been disappointed or let down and this is all part of the rich tapestry of life. Some of those difficult experiences will have made us stronger. It is far better to be a champion of our future rather than a prisoner of our past. So, view every experience with an open heart and an open mind.
Lead by example
If we want other people to trust us, we need to demonstrate our trust in them. We all watch and take cues from each other so leading by example is a great way to cultivate a trusting environment.
Leading by example will help people around us to feel more comfortable about taking risks and stepping out of their comfort zone.
About the Author
Liggy Webb is an award-winning and best-selling author, presenter, and international consultant. She is also the founding director of LWL, an international consortium of behavioural skills specialists. Liggy is recognised as a thought leader on human resilience and wellbeing, working with a wide range of global organisations across the sector.