Lewis Cracknell

Years ago, during my leadership training, I learned a simple yet powerful lesson about trust. Imagine your relationships as a trust bank. Every action you take either deposits or withdraws from this bank.

Each time you keep your promises and follow through on commitments, you deposit a penny into your trust bank. Over time, these deposits build up, creating a strong foundation of trust and reliability. Conversely, every time you fail to deliver or meet expectations, you withdraw a penny. Repeated withdrawals can quickly deplete your trust bank, leaving relationships fragile and strained.

Here are some key actions that act as significant ‘trustbreakers’:

• Breaking Promises: This is perhaps the fastest way to drain your trust account. A broken promise, big or small, creates doubt about your reliability.
• Acting Inconsistently: Consistency builds confidence. When your actions and behaviors fluctuate unpredictably, trust is eroded.
• Making Assumptions: Assuming what someone needs or wants without checking can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. Clarify expectations instead.
• Bypassing People: Going around people rather than involving them in decisions that impact them communicates a lack of respect or value for their contribution.

Money in the Relational Bank: Think of trust like currency; it’s easy to spend but harder to earn. Invest carefully and regularly in building your relational bank to ensure trust grows steadily.

Remember, trust takes time to build but only moments to destroy.

Credit for the concept and learning: JLB Consulting Limited