1. Clarity

Clarity starts with honesty. People trust the clear and distrust the vague. Communicate clearly and frequently.

Every night write 3 to 5 the most important tasks for the next day. Chances are you’ll see a tremendous increase in your productivity.

Clarity can also drive business success in the form of a clear vision. For example, Google swiftly became the market leader for search engines due to its clear vision:

To organize world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.

2. Compassion

Think beyond yourself. We show we care in four key ways: listen, show appreciation, be engaged, and serve others.

Compassion can help boost a “culture of loyalty” among employees and customers.

Indra Nooyi, the CEO of PepsiCo since 2004, whose vision as a leader was to “bring together what is good for our business with what is good for the world.” To that end, under Nooyi’s supervision, the company produced healthy food products, such as oatmeal and low-calorie Gatorade, and engaged in programs against obesity. As a result, PepsiCo’s profits and influence have soared.

3. Character

Have high morals and be consistent in your thoughts, words, and actions. Always ask, “Am I doing the right thing?”

In terms of gaining trust, character means displaying two qualities: integrity and morality.

• Integrity: Consistency in thoughts, words, and actions.
• Morality: Striving to do the right thing, even when it involves making a sacrifice. Sacrifices are difficult in the short term but pay off in the long term.

4. Competency

Trust is inseparable from competence and ability. Therefore, you must maintain your competence to hold onto the trust you’ve gained.

Humility is the first step in learning. Create a regular plan for staying competent and capable.

5. Commitment

Outstanding leadership demands sacrifice. The people who stick with you when things are tough are the ones you can trust.

Commitment is not only a tool for gaining trust but one of the most desirable qualities we can find in our friends, lovers, and, certainly, our leaders. Keeping your promises and being ready to sacrifice for your convictions will make you a highly respected and trusted person in all areas of life.

6. Connection

Trust is about relationships. In every interaction, we increase or decrease trust. Be genuine, be grateful and avoid gossip.

To do it right, you don’t need to be an extroverted charismatic networking genius. Many magnetic characters are introverts who’ve developed the ability to listen and empathize and to be optimistic, honest, encouraging, curious, and grateful.

7. Contribution

You must deliver results to be trusted. Give attention, resources, time, opportunity, and help.

Don’t let perfectionism paralyze you from delivering results. If customers or team members are consistently waiting for you to deliver, then you’re not only costing them time and money but also destroying their trust in you. Be transparent about what works and what doesn’t. They will respect it more than a system that never got delivered.

8. Consistency

The most important pillar of all, as it gives meaning to all of the other pillars. You will never get one big chance to be trusted in your life; you will get thousands of small ones. Just one inconsistency can change people’s perspectives.

Trusting in others brings out their best qualities. Some may argue that “trust is good, but control is better”.

Not really. Extending trust can be highly motivating, while on the other hand, control can destroy creativity and motivation. Often, the potential rewards of trusting others outweigh any possible harm. Trust is about “doing” and “giving.”

Trusting someone also means taking a risk. It’s essential to pay attention to how much trust you are giving to someone based on their competency.

If you’ve broken trust with someone, be patient and take ownership. Trust can be rebuilt - if you’re willing to go the extra mile.