What's the Formula to Trust Someone

The Trust Equation

Insight from Steven Drozdeck and Lyn Fisher

Are you surprised when you can't get someone to trust you? You might have a trust problem.

I recently came across a book called The Trust Equation by Steven Drozdeck and Lyn Fisher. This book provides a framework to understand how humans determine how much to trust.

According to the equation, the amount of trust we have in someone is the sum of their credibility, reliability, and authenticity, divided by our perception of their self-interest.

I've been thinking about how to apply this Trust Equation to The Bottleneck. Building trust can be hard when connecting with people online. (Being belly to belly is the best way to gain that initial trust.)

When I examine the variables of the Trust Equation, I see many areas where trust can break down. By each factor:

• Credibility can be damaged when people are doing something they've never done before.

• Reliability can suffer when people miss deadlines or fail to meet their commitments.

• Authenticity can be undermined by a failure to admit mistakes

Addressing these issues proactively is essential to building and maintaining trust in a startup environment.

If you're moving into a new role, be patient and focus on your reliability and authenticity while establishing credibility.

If you question someone's reliability, work together to find a solution as soon as possible.

If you feel someone is being inauthentic, have an honest conversation with them and share your thoughts and feelings.

Ultimately, consistent, responsive communication is the key to building trust. Stay in touch with your colleagues, your investors, and your customers. Share updates, ask for help when needed, and celebrate wins together.

Learn More: Watch this video on the Trust Equation