Networking: Trust Maintenance

Networking: Trust Maintenance

By Rod Colon

Let’s take a look at some specific actions you can take to maintain trust and keep a relationship alive:

· Be direct, open and honest in all communications with others

· Maintain a level of respect for others that they begin to view as your “brand”

· Admit mistakes when you make them

· Demonstrate appreciation and gratitude for the efforts of others

· Protect the privacy of others; always keep private information confidential

· Establish a track record for getting results

· Set realistic benchmarks for improving your own performance and value

· Demonstrate a willingness to confront difficult problems “head on”

· Set up mutually agreed “accountability milestones”; i.e., a healthy relationship allows each member to voice expectations without hurt or hesitation

· Demonstrate your prowess as a troubleshooter but allow for divergent points of view

· Keep promises and commitments and establish a solid track record of unquestionable reliability

· Be willing to risk the extension of trust to others