How do you earn trust?

By telling people how good you are?

I get that question from time to time.

I read on someone’s website: “I’m the number one business coach in the Netherlands” – it wasn’t exactly that, but it came down to this.

If you know me, you know I will then ask: #isthatso? And who says that? How did you measure that? I know, I’m rather critical by nature and am very careful about absolute statements.

If you say that something is THE formula for success, then there is a chance that people like me will ask if there is proof for that. Ditto for when people say, “This is how you should do it!” Then my response is often: #ikmoetjustniks (I don’t HAVE to do anything).

In my mind, you come across as much more credible when you say this is what you think is best practice, or when you say this is what works for you. That’s a little more nuanced.

I can already hear some people saying, “Is that powerful enough? Isn’t it better for you, as an expert, to confidently say what needs to be done and that there is a formula for success?”

I agree with you IF you can live up to it. Otherwise, to me, it’s a lot of blabla. And sooner or later, people will poke through that. And then you’re even further from home. What do you think?

Back to my question, “How do you earn trust?”

I don’t have THE success formula for this – what did you think!?!! 😉

But better than saying you are #1, I would say:

Make sure you consistently “show up” and deliver value.

 

Showing up consistently builds confidence (you can fill in how consistent that is) and the value shows that you know what you’re talking about.

And now it’s up to you.

What do you think of the above ideas?

Do you think it’s bullshit or do you follow me?

☛And what do you think is the best way to earn trust? Tell us.