Who Can You Trust in Business? ~ Christine McIver
Trust is the backbone of any successful business relationship, but how do you really know who to trust? Is it just a gut feeling or is there more to it? Trust is crucial, not just with your clients and partners, but with yourself. In this week’s episode of Inspired Choices for Business Growth, I want to dive deep into trust and how cultivating it within yourself can drastically improve your business.
As business owners, we often feel the weight of decisions that affect the trajectory of our companies. The first question you might ask yourself is: “Can I trust the people I’m working with?” It’s essential to look beyond just surface-level interactions and focus on building relationships grounded in trust. However, it starts with you.
When you put up boundaries, you limit yourself, especially when it comes to your awareness. I’ve noticed that when I’m too focused on “protecting” myself, I end up blocking access to the very insights that could have helped me avoid mistakes. Being open to receiving information, even when it challenges your assumptions, is one of the most powerful tools in cultivating trust. Trusting yourself allows you to fine-tune your ability to recognize when others are trustworthy or not.
The most critical aspect of building trust in business is developing trust in yourself. If you don’t trust your own instincts, how can you trust someone else? I’ve learned that when I’m in doubt or feel unsure, I need to ask myself the most important question: “Is this true for me?” When you ask yourself this, doors start to open.
Trust also comes from clear communication. In my own experience, I’ve made the mistake of assuming I understood someone’s intentions only to find out later that they were misaligned with my goals. If someone breaks your trust, step back and ask yourself, “What did I miss about this relationship?” Your ability to learn from these situations is what will guide your next steps, and that’s where your intuition plays a pivotal role.
Intuition is an ability that each of us has access to. It’s not some mystical gift for a select few—it’s within you. By learning to trust your gut and embrace the insights it offers, you’ll develop a stronger sense of clarity when building relationships in your business.
As you move forward, remember that building trust doesn’t happen overnight. It’s an ongoing process. Take time to reflect on your experiences, challenge your assumptions, and give yourself the space to grow. When you trust yourself, you’ll start to attract people and opportunities that align with your vision and your business goals.
Christine McIver, Business Optimization Expert