Simple Ways to See If You Can Trust Someone
By Sandy Schroeder
Trust has always been an important question. Today’s world has magnified the issue, but the basics are still the same when you are dealing with people in person. When you meet someone socially, in business, or in public, take your time and take a few steps. Here are some I have seen, and some from LinkedIn.
Slow down – If you can, take all of the available time to decide. If someone new is pushing you to respond, that may be a clue in itself.
Get multiple reports – When you meet someone new, allow enough time to get a few impressions. I have worked with people who seemed totally reliable. Later, when I encountered them at a weekend party, there was a whole separate impression. Take your time to catch different glimpses.
Look for reactions – As you get more views, you can see if they react in a similar manner. In the case of my co-worker, she seemed calm and collected at work. On the weekend, she became very talkative and assertive as the evening wore on. The following week I went to lunch with her, and she was relaxed and outgoing.
Get the whole story – Meeting someone for the first time may not be the real story. They may have just had a terrible week at home, or received other bad news. In the case of my co-worker, I was able to gradually piece together a picture. She was usually calm, collected, relaxed and friendly, but a weekend party full of margaritas and social pressure triggered another image. Over time she proved to be a reliable co-worker and dependable friend.
Do some digging – Depending on the situation, you may need to learn a lot, or not. If you are hiring a housekeeper, or looking for a sitter for your children, you will want to find out a lot, and get references. If you have met someone socially and they want to make more plans, you may want to keep it casual until you learn more about them. Whenever your safety, family, home or finances are involved, it’s a good idea to go slowly and do thorough crosschecks.
See what they say – Really listen to what people say to learn who they are. A friend of mine is good at spotting “character lines.” He spots revealing remarks and then watches to see if they play out.
Think of trust as a puzzle. When all of the pieces fit, it seems easy. Do yourself a favor. Collect as many pieces as you can.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Loveland, Colo.