7 Measuring Trust

Can Trust be Measured?

Charles H. Green, a management consultant and the founder of Trusted Advisor Associates has created a model for quantifying trust, called the Trust Equation (Trust Advisor, n.d.b). The purpose of the model is to get you thinking about trust, trustworthiness and your own personal strengths and weaknesses (Trusted Advisor Associates, 2020a).

Note: The following videos approach these concepts from the point of view of a consultant helping a client. For our purposes, imagine that you are the consultant within your group, and your team members are your clients. It is in your best interest that your clients (groupmates) have trust in you, this will allow you to have influence within the group, and overall increase group effectiveness. 

Watch this video of Charles H. Green introducing the Trust Equation, and answer the questions below.

The following set of short videos explains each component of The Trust Equation in further detail, and provide tips to increase your own personal trustworthiness.

Credibility & Reliability 

Intimacy 

Self Orientation 

How to Increase Trust – Tips from The Trust Equation

This section summarizes some of the tips from the videos above (put in the context of group projects). 

CREDIBILITY 

1. Do Your Homework (Trusted Advisor Associates, 2020b)

If you want to establish yourself as a credible group member, ensure that you have done your homework. This means that you’ve not only completed the coursework that relates to your group project, but you’ve also done appropriate research and preparation for your meetings. Think about groupmates you’ve had in past group projects. It quickly becomes obvious during a brainstorm session who has read the applicable chapters in the textbook, and who has not. If you demonstrate that you are prepared and ready to contribute ideas and knowledge, you are well on your way to gaining trust and influence within your group.

2. Be Open, Honest, Transparent, and Accurate (Trusted Advisor Associates, 2020b)

This is generally pretty good life advice. Consider the impact of your team members finding out you’ve been dishonest. Try looking at it from their point of view. For example, how might you feel if your team member claimed that they had come up with an idea themselves, but you later find out it came from an external source that hadn’t been cited. Would you trust future ideas or contributions from this person?

3.  Ask Smart Questions (Trusted Advisor Associates, 2020b)

This is often a by-product of doing your homework and knowing your stuff.  There is a noticeable difference between the questions that are asked by someone who is familiar with course material and is trying to improve on a project, and someone who is not as prepared. Questions that are thoughtful, relevant to the project topic or meeting task, and supported with knowledge can drive the team towards better results. On the other hand, if meetings are spent answering questions that aren’t as relevant, it isn’t the most effective use of group time. *NOTE: This advice does not mean one should never ask questions (questions are very important!). What is important is that all members of a group put reasonable effort and preparation into their contributions.

RELIABILITY 

4. Follow Through on Your Promises (Trusted Advisor Associates, 2020b)

This is critical! For example, did you promise to put your section of the project on to the team Google Doc when you got home from work one evening?  Perhaps it seems that it wouldn’t be a big deal to wait until the next morning to do this. But, consider how your group members may react when they notice that you have not followed through on your commitments. Students almost always have multiple commitments and have most likely carefully planned their time. Even if delays may not seem like a big deal to you, remember that each of your team mates have factored in your promises into their plans.

INTIMACY 

5. Be Vulnerable (Trusted Advisor Associates, 2020c)

This is a common piece of advice that is found in many sources; being vulnerable is one of the most powerful ways you can encourage trust, because it indicates the others that it is okay to do the same. Think about a time when someone has shared something meaningful (eg. personal) with you; it likely made you feel comfortable to also share something. This principle can be useful at school as well. If you are having trouble with your section of a group project, or even other coursework, share this with your group; they may be able to help (or they may also be experiencing the same difficulties!).

SELF ORIENTATION 

7. Be Curious (Trusted Advisor Associates, 2020d)

Ask your group members questions when they share, demonstrate that you care about their contributions. Use active-listening techniques as much as possible.

8. Lead with Calm (Trusted Advisor Associates, 2020d)

While in school, it’s likely you have multiple assignments and activities on the go, and may have many things on your mind. To demonstrate to your group that they can trust you are present and ready to contribute, it can be important to “lead with calm.” Take some time before meetings to ensure you are getting into the right mindset for a group meeting, so that you can be present and focused. Think about group members you may have had in the past who come in like a whirlwind, sometimes it may feel that their focus is solely on themselves, and not on the group and the group’s goals.

ACTIVITY – How Trustworthy Are You?

Try taking this 5-minute free assessment from the Trusted Advisor. Sign-up via email is required; after the assessment you will receive a free partial report that will identify which elements of The Trust Equation are your biggest strength & your biggest weakness.

REFERENCES 

Trusted Advisor [Associates LLC]. (n.da). Understanding the Trust Equation. https://trustedadvisor.com/why-trust-matters/understanding-trust/understanding-the-trust-equation

Trusted Advisor [Associates LLC]. (n.db). Charles H. Green. https://trustedadvisor.com/consultants/charles-h-green

Trusted Advisor Associates. (2020a, March 31). Understanding The Trust Equation for Professional Relationships. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEB0qIy0XVc

Trusted Advisor Associates. (2020b, March 19). The Trust Equation: Credibility & Reliability. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESf2XXZH9aw

Trusted Advisor Associates. (2020c, March 20). The Trust Equation: Intimacy. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5D-NSbPuEo

Trusted Advisor Associates. (2020d, April 21). The Trust Equation: Self orientation. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nfdcdfg_Mwc