Creating new relationships
I recently read two articles about developing trust on the SmartBrief on Leadership blog. They were “This Advice from 1751 Can Help You Be Better Liked Today” and “7 Ways to Build a ‘Circle of Truth’ as a Leader.” This reading coincided with a summit I recently attended where I had the opportunity to meet people and establish some new contacts. Several of the young professionals I met commented on how easy it was to get to know me. The ability to create new relationships is an important asset for a business person, so this was more than a compliment.
Trust me
I have found that getting to know someone first and foremost involves establishing trust. The blog posts mentioned above have some good ideas on how to do this. In this article, I share with you some of the important steps I have learned to take when developing trust in a professional relationship.
Care before credibility
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This statement has been attributed to US President Theodore Roosevelt, motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, best-selling author John C. Maxwell, and others. This quote emphasizes that you must show genuine care and empathy toward others if you want them to value your knowledge and expertise.
Trust begins with a question
Meeting someone new is often fraught with anxiety – there are so many unknowns. Generally, both parties are anxious regardless of their backgrounds. To alleviate the tension, someone must take the lead in getting the conversation started. I suggest opening with a question. Let the person speak and stay out of the exchange. This gives your new contact time to relax. If you spearhead the dialogue for 20 minutes by listening, your newfound relationship will develop into trust.
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