One of Advantexe’s great existing clients who works with us on three different developmental programs (two in Business Acumen and one in Business Leadership) emailed asking about a new
simulation we just released in our most recent simulation catalog.
“What can you tell me about this new Building Trust simulation? I love the idea of some sort of exercise that helps our leaders understand how to build trust by practicing, not just having some speaker talk at them for a couple of hours.”
I shared the highlights of the three immersive, interactive scenarios that provide learners with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in the area of building trust by taking on the role of a leader in a simulated environment pulling the right levers to build trust with the characters in the simulated world. She loved it and asked me if I would help create some talking points for her to use with key stakeholders to have them support the implementation of a pilot. I said, of course, and am pleased to share what we came up with in this blog.
7 Reasons Why It Takes Practice to Build Trust
Building trust takes practice because it involves consistently demonstrating empathy, reliability, honesty, and integrity over time. Trust is not something you build in an hour. It takes a long time with true effort. It is a gradual process that can’t be faked, as it takes discipline and commitment to get there.
Here are a few reasons why building trust takes practice:
- Demonstrating empathy: Building trust involves understanding and empathizing with others' perspectives and feelings. By demonstrating empathy and understanding, you establish that you care about the well-being and feelings of others, which can strengthen trust in your relationships.
- Being Honest and Transparent: Trust is based on honesty and transparency. Being truthful, even when it's difficult, helps to build credibility and shows that you value honesty in your interactions.
- Moving Forward after Mistakes, Setbacks, and Failures: Nobody is perfect, we all get that. Trust can be fragile, and it's possible to damage or lose trust through mistakes and failures. Building trust often involves learning from these mistakes, apologizing when necessary, and taking steps to learn and rebuild trust through consistent, trustworthy behavior.
- Being Constant and Reliable: Trust very often is equal to reliability. When you consistently follow through on your commitments, meet deadlines, and deliver on promises, you demonstrate that you are reliable and can be trusted to do what you say you will do.
- Navigating the VUCA World: We live in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambitious (VUCA) world that requires great trust in leadership. Trust-building can be difficult, especially in situations where there are competing interests or uncertainties. Practicing effective communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills can help navigate these complexities and build trust even in challenging circumstances.
- Being Consistent: Trust is built through consistent behavior. It isn’t just about what you do or say in one moment, but how you consistently act over time. By consistently acting in trustworthy ways (see above), you reinforce the belief that you can be relied upon.
- Build a Reputation and Brand: We often talk about the “brand of you” as a leader. Some leaders are “Brilliant Tacticians” and some are “Hard Workers.” One of the most effective brands you can build for yourself is a leader who everyone trusts. It takes a long time to build that brand and some good practice to get there.
In summary, building trust is a skill that requires practice, self-awareness, and a commitment to acting in ways that build trust in your relationships. It's an ongoing process that evolves over time and requires continuous effort to maintain. The best way to get there is to practice!
