A Trusted One

What do these people all have in common? 

 

Tom Hanks (Actor)

  Sandra Bullock (Actress)

    Meryl Streep (Actress)

      Robin Roberts (News/TV)

Diane Sawyer (News/TV)

  Katie Couric (News/TV)

    Barbara Walters (News/TV)

Oprah Winfrey (TV)

  Colin Powell (Military Leader - National Politics)

    Clint Eastwood (Actor)

These are ten of about a hundred of the most trusted people in America according to a recent Reader’s Digest article.

What is trust all about? 

Better question – am I a trusted individual?

Good news.  I have seventeen steps that can help you becoming a more trusted individual. 

No. 1 - Be consistently honest and forthright in all dealings.

No. 2-17 - See above

Now wasn't that simple? 

Seriously, trust is a much sought after character trait, and the proof is in the puddin’ as we used to say in Tennessee. 

Do you remember the 30-second to 2 minute rule?  The basic premise is this:

In human interaction, when we first deal with someone we have 30 seconds to two minutes to make a good first impression.  From the moment we approach the other individual we are being judged on our stance, clothing, facial expression, hair, and all other signals we give off.  The other person is making rapid assessments of us and they get to choose if they will like us, believe in us, will listen to us, will acknowledge us, and above all – will TRUST us, all in less than two minutes. 

This is HUGE!

People who are trustworthy might just have some of these character traits.  Listen up.

-Good eye contact

-An acceptable handshake – not limp, not fingertips only

-Turn your full body toward the one to whom you are greeting

-Head up, shoulders back, no slouching

-Use the other person’s name correctly and remember it

-Listen more than you talk, unless the meeting is about you

-Oh yeah – pull your pants up

There are some great books out there to help with all kinds of people skills.  One of the best is still Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People.  I still read and listen to this book about every other year.

If you care about people and how your interactions go with them, then this is for you. 

Become a trusted one!

P Michael Biggs

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