Can You Imagine a World Without Trust?

Imagine that you’re in an infantry squad and you’re being ordered to move forward in a firefight by a man who has repeatedly taken unnecessary risks and who has continually placed the lives of his men in danger even when it’s unneeded. Only one word can describe a proper response to that scenario…terrified.

Trust is a fundamental building block for any relationship. In the Army, trust is the driving force that fuels loyalty to those who give orders. I’ve encountered some leaders whom I absolutely trust with my life. If they handed me a squirt gun, I would follow them on a mission against hell itself. There are others, however, with whom I would be terrified to lay siege to a Lego castle.

When you trust someone, you’ll follow them, communicate with them, and work with them regardless of the obstacles. When you are trusted, you are empowered to do great things because you have a team working to support you and your driving mission.

Trust, Power and Responsibility

Trust is power and just as Peter Parker’s Uncle said, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Those who are trusted already understand the principle that trust and responsibility go hand in hand. You earn trust by demonstrating responsibility day after day. You can’t earn someone’s trust by demanding it as many believe. You earn it by living daily with the integrity that demonstrates you’re trustworthy.

We often grow frustrated because we each have a built in desire to be trusted but those around us tend to trust us in different levels. The easiest way to illustrate this is to point out the teenager longing to be trusted with the car keys or with some other important responsibility. They’re frustrated that their parents don’t fully trust them but they fail to undertand that they can’t simply demand trust. They must earn it.

I’ve learned that we as adults do the same thing. We attempt to force people to trust us with quips like, “Why don’t you trust me!?” The truth is that statements and sentiments like that are very much not helpful. Instead, we should simply be focusing on patiently proving ourselves and daily demonstrating ourselves as trustworthy.

A Simple Challenge

So here is my simple challenge for you today. Don’t demand trust from those around you but instead spend your time developing your character, demonstrating integrity and living an honest and upright lifestyle.

This is the key. Take it and unlock a whole new world.