How do you like to inspire trust? How do you like to be a person who can be trusted? And the key word, the verb ("in the beginning was the verb") is BEING. That is to say, it is not about appearing, appearing, pretending... The fundamental thing is to show our being, to be ourselves in front of ourselves and others.
And how is our being reflected? Well, through our actions, our behaviors, our actions, our living. And, can we have some guides, some references, some paths? Yes, we can.
Here are some milestones along the way:
1. Always strive for excellence. Do not settle for the average, the standard, the usual, the mediocre. Look for your differential talent and put it into action. Surely you have it. You are unique. I call this path "professional competence".
2. When relating to another person be aware of how he/she is. How they think, how they feel, what their expectations are, their needs, their desires. And respect them, listen to them and open yourself to participate with them from your contribution or from theirs. He is another person like you. Remember what Maturana says: "Love begins with the legitimization of the other as a legitimate other". You know, there are no "half oranges". I call this path "consciousness of the other".
3. Act, express yourself, behave openly. Don't hide tricks up your sleeves to take advantage of the other person. Accept yourself as you are, recognize your faults and realize that no one is perfect. We are human. Let go of your fears and don't be so concerned about what others may think. It's their problem. Act with the truth in front of you. I call this path "clarity".
4. Be a person who gives his word and commits to it. Once upon a time this was called formality. And it goes right to the heart of trust. There was no need to sign papers. A simple handshake was enough. What was said to be done was done. The word becomes an act. I call this way "keeping one's word".
5. Do as you try to get others to do. Coherence demands that our actions be based on our thinking and feeling. It is about acting integrally from our being. With regard to others, whether they are children or adults, example is the most powerful weapon that exists for their education and development. I call this path "coherence".
6. Be a person of values. And through life each one of us is supported by his staff of values and principles. They are like the metaguides that guide us especially in difficult moments, of doubts or full of adversity. Moments in which it is important to make clear what our vital priorities are. The meaning of our life drives us and makes us flow through it. I call this path "consistency".
7. And to remain oneself in all circumstances , one must decide to act in difficult moments without falling apart. Confront people and realities that do not comply ethically or break the law or abuse the underprivileged. We are not alone and sometimes we have to stand up for our limits and say no even if it is not difficult. I call this path "courage".
And these are the 7 Cs that point our way towards credibility, towards realities of interrelation with other human beings, achieving environments of trust in which we will all gain.
Let us make progress in building a credit of trust, which we must continually nurture through our actions.
