b'THE HR HANDBOOKTrust Me to Trust YouA TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPrequires each partyWhat are the barriers to exhibiting trusting be trustworthy and that each party be trusting.behaviors? Part of this answer is deep in the psychol-Trustworthy behaviors are those that say: You canogy and evolution of human brain. Withholding trust trust me. These behaviors are straightforward andis a protective barrier. But at some point, someone in seem hard to argue against: a group needs to take a risk and exhibit some trust- Be honest. Tell others how you feel, even if it is toing behavior. While we might simply say that a lack of disagree. trusting behaviors is just how I am or its natural,Be fair. unlike our ancestors, we must remember that we Keep confidential information to yourself. Dontare not working in a life-or-death situation. Also, as a gossip. leader, you already have the power and control. There JONATHAN SHAVER Dont speak poorly of others. is little reason for a lack of trusting behavior, especially is the president and Be consistent and predictable. when you are the leader. owner of Envision Do what you say youll do. Follow through onWhat are the barriers to being trustworthy? If itPartners LLC.commitments. is the case that trustworthy behaviors are straightfor-ward and hard to argue against, why would someone Trusting behaviors are those that say: I trust you.not clearly exhibit these behaviors? It turns out, there These behaviors might not be so clear or obvious: may not as much difference between being trustwor-thy and being trusting as these previous descriptions Admit when you do not know something. Bemay imply. curious in your lack of knowledge.If I am not willing to be admit that I am wrong, amTake responsibility for your actions. EspeciallyI being honest? when it might cause you trouble. If I am not willing to apologize for a mistake, am IApologize when you make a mistake. being consistent when I expect others to do so? Share information freely, even personal I f I am not sharing information freely, am I being information. fair? Delegate. I f we are not regularly giving direct feedback to a team member, might I be seen as speaking Trusting behaviors are about being vulnerable poorly? they are about taking a risk with the other person. TheThese examples might tell us why someone who willingness to exhibit trusting behaviors is the result ofis not trusting of others may also be perceived as not the other persons trustworthy behaviors. being trustworthy. We can seemingly justify not being For some, trust of the other person comes quickly.trusting of others, but in doing so we may also be This approach might sound like, I trust others untiljustifying not being trustworthy. I believe we all want to they prove otherwise. For some, trust of the otherbe and be perceived as being trustworthy, but in order person comes slowly. This approach might sound like,to be perceived as trustworthy, one has to also exhibit They have to earn my trust. However, the best waytrusting behaviors. SWto quickly achieve a trusting relationship is to be both fully trustworthy and be fully trusting from the get-go. Logically, that makes sense, but then why arent we both trusting and trustworthy right from the beginning of a relationship?38/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2023'