I recently came across a quote that really struck me: “Be careful who you trust, sugar and salt look the same.” It rang a bell because, like many of us, I’ve found myself deceived by someone (actually, that should be plural…) I thought I could trust, and it’s always the hardest when it’s someone you’ve invested time and energy into. But here’s the thing: trust is everything, in both personal and professional life. Without it, everything falls apart. Unfortunately, sometimes, we don’t listen to our own instincts, the very thing that can help us decide who we can put our faith into. And who we who we can put our faith into. And who we should stay away from. Check this interesting step by step guide by David Grossman.
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Building Trust (in yourself, first)
As professionals, we’re often told to trust others, build relationships, and network like it’s the ultimate key to success. But in the hustle of doing all that, we sometimes overlook one very important factor: our instincts. We rationalize everything, don’t we? “Oh, I’m just being paranoid”, or “It’s probably nothing” are things I’ve said to myself countless times. But you know what? Our gut is always right. We just don’t give it enough credit.How often have you had that niggling feeling something isn’t quite right, but then talked yourself out of it? Maybe a colleague is acting a little off, or a business partner’s sudden change in behavior leaves you uneasy. Instead of trusting your gut, you rationalize, you assume the best, and you ignore that little voice telling you to be cautious. But here’s the thing—when we push those instincts aside, we’re giving up a powerful tool we’ve got.In business, trust isn’t just about believing what people say; it’s about believing in who they are and how they act over time. Trust is built through consistency,transparency, and shared values. But it also has to start with you—trusting yourself. Trust that you know when something is off, even when everything else seems fine on paper.
Are you overthinking it?
So, how do we actually start trusting our instincts more? It starts with one simple thing: recognizing when you’re rationalizing. Pay attention when your body is telling you something different from your mind. When you feel that little hint of discomfort, take a moment to sit with it before you dismiss it. Ask yourself: “Why do I feel this way? What’s really bothering me here?”
1, 2, 3… breathe
Take a pause. Give yourself time to reflect. Don’t make decisions in haste when you feel something is wrong. Just like you would give a colleague time to think over a major decision, give yourself that same grace. It’s okay to sit with uncertainty for a moment. Trust me, your future self will thank you for it.And lastly, test your instincts. Over time, see how often they line up with reality. You’ll start to notice patterns. Did you have a feeling that a certain business deal wouldn’t work out, and it didn’t? Or did you sense that someone’s promises weren’t genuine, and it turned out to be true? When your instincts align with reality, you’ll trust them more next time.In the end, we can’t ignore our own initial reactions just because they feel uncomfortable. In fact, those uncomfortable feelings are often trying to protect us. In business, we can’t afford to trust people or situations blindly. Yes, trust needs to be earned, but sometimes, it needs to be protected—by trusting yourself first.Remember, it’s not just about making decisions based on logic or data; it’s about listening to that inner wisdom and combining it with your rational thinking. When you trust yourself, you empower your ability to trust others. In leadership, trust is the foundation of everything—from team dynamics to collaborative environments, and to your overall reputation.
Next time you feel something’s off, don’t brush it aside. Trust your instincts.
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