Trust is essential but, all too often, a rare commodity in many relationships.
There are a number of traits common to trustworthy people. Developing a curiosity about the interests, motivations, and values of the people around you is an excellent way to discern the presence (or absence) of these traits.
It’s true that we accept a degree of risk when we choose to trust someone. But, it doesn’t mean that choosing to trust someone it’s a shot in the dark.
Here are a few traits of trustworthy people:
- Consistency & Intentionality: These traits are the hallmarks of value-driven people. They know what they believe and why, and they act accordingly.
- Transparency: Trustworthy people are willing to be known, to be open about their own thoughts and to be respectful of people whose perspective differs from their own.
- Emotional Health: Trustworthy people have the emotional capacity to act on their values and to recognize the needs of others.
- Self-care: Healthy self-esteem fuels transparency, honesty, and self-awareness…traits upon which genuine trust rests comfortably. Likewise, while these are not fractious individuals, trustworthy people are willing to have difficult conversations if they believe it’s the right thing to do.
- Trusting Relationships: Trustworthy people extend trust to others appropriately; they have healthy, long-standing relationships characterized by mutual trust and transparency.
Despite noble intentions, a number of factors can hinder trustworthiness. Addiction, trauma, abuse, mental illness, exhaustion, and maturity can all impact our ability to show up in the way that we desire. Extending more trust than an individual can shoulder is often demoralizing for both parties.
It’s important to remember that extending trust appropriately doesn’t mean that we hold others in disdain or disregard.
I can love and respect my 14-year-old son without trusting him with the keys to a new Ferrari. The honor and responsibility of being trusted are directly proportional to the intentionality with which the decision to trust was made.
Written By: GROW Staff
