We explore why trust is crucial to business success and how you can cultivate it.
One day an investor was asked why he had created his fund in Monterrey, México.
His answer was: "Because in Monterrey you can do business at the speed of trust".
In the competitive business world, trust is the most valuable characteristic a person or company can have.
Being reliable means not only delivering on promises and expectations, but also having a reputation based on integrity, honesty and consistency.
In this post I explore why trust is crucial to lasting relationships in business and share with you practical strategies for developing and maintaining it.
Think about the opportunities that have changed your life. A job opportunity, landing an investor, launching a business... they all came from a person who shared or connected the opportunity with you.
When clients, colleagues, partners and acquaintances trust you, they are more likely to give you opportunities, recommend you to others and collaborate with you on important projects.
Being reliable means not only delivering on promises and expectations, but also having a reputation based on integrity, honesty and consistency.
Trust translates into loyalty and repeat business, which is critical to long-term growth and sustainability.
Business and life are done at the speed of trust.
This involves delivering work on time, meeting agreed deadlines and delivering the expected results.
If you ever find yourself in a situation where you cannot keep a promise, it is crucial to communicate this immediately and look for alternative solutions.
A few years ago I worked at Telmexand when I was promoted to manager to lead the digital innovation team, my boss gave me the news with the following phrase:"You are reliable. I know that whatever I ask you to do, you will do it, and you will do it in the best possible way."
Years later I read in a book that the basis of professional success is to be 'reliable', i.e. consistent and reliable. At that moment everything clicked for me: Character --> Discipline --> 'Reliability'.
People go to Starbucks because they know what to expect in every aspect: speed, price, service, taste, etc.
This means being consistent in your actions, decisions and communication. Inconsistency leads to distrust and uncertainty, which limits creative possibilities.
If you change your strategy every day, it will be impossible to work as a team. If one day you react optimistically and another day you play the victim, people will walk away from you.
At Fuckup Nights we say, "If you're not sure whether or not to share something, share it constructively." Our default setting is to share and laugh at our failures with the world..
Being transparent about your capabilities, limitations and progress on projects builds trust. It also means admitting mistakes when they occur and working proactively to fix them. Honesty fosters an attractive environment for collaboration.
On the other hand, no one wants to work with someone who only communicates problems that are about to explode or have already exploded.
If you want to read more about this and learn how to share failure as a learning tool, you can consult the article share failure on our blog.
Being a person of integrity 99.9% of the time is the same as not being a person of integrity.
This includes being honest in your dealings, respecting confidentiality and upholding your values and principles, even when you face pressure to act otherwise.
Integrity creates a solid foundation of trust that adds up to a lot of points when the going gets tough and you must manage in times of crisis.
To be seen as reliable, it is important to consistently add value. Not just sometimes. Not just at first and then go with the flow.
This means providing products, services or knowledge that truly benefit others.
By focusing on how you can continually add value, you demonstrate your commitment to the success and well-being of others, which builds confidence in you.
There is no such thing as trust "from afar", or with automated mailings.
Take the time to get to know your clients and colleagues on a personal level, understand their needs and concerns, and show empathy.
Strong relationships are based on being present, with reciprocity and mutual respect.
Taking responsibility for your actions and decisions, especially when things don't go as planned, demonstrates your commitment to others.
This includes acknowledging your mistakes, apologizing when necessary, and taking steps to correct the situation immediately.
Don't blame the moon and the stars, much less other people. There is always a level of responsibility and opportunity in each of us.
It's like in the recruiting process. If you don't see an improvement curve, candidates don't generate the confidence that they are going to give their full potential.
Invest in your personal and professional development. Know yourself better. Define what you value. Develop new skills. Build your personal network (but with trusted relationships! 😀).
Edited by
Let's transform our perception of failure and use it as a catalyst for growth.