Trust Isn’t a Title | Credible | Nine Lies About Work
Hello there! Welcome to my weekly LEAPS.
You’re receiving this email because you subscribed to my weekly Wednesday feature or our mailing list. Every Wednesday, I share 5 things using our LEAPS approach:
Learn: something new or an idea
Energy: an energy (good or bad) word and it’s meaning
Action: something to do
Processing: a question to consider
Shout out: something or someone that I want to celebrate or acknowledge
LEARN
Something Worth Sharing
Trust Is Not A Title
Trust is not something we can simply declare. It is something other people decide, over time, based on their experience.
Over the years, I have often been introduced to professional advisers who described themselves as “trusted advisers.” Each time, it jarred. Not because trust doesn’t matter - it most certainly does - but because they had already decided it was their label.
The phrase ‘trusted adviser’ skips the very mechanism that makes trust real. You don’t appoint yourself to it. You are either treated that way, or you aren’t. To bring it even closer to home, just because you are related to someone, or had a friendship for many years, trust can not be assumed or be unconditional.
Trust emerges from behaviour, not words or positioning. It is built from consistency, not credentials. It is what happens when things are uncertain, uncomfortable, or inconvenient.
When someone labels themselves as trusted, they are usually trying to signal reassurance. But the signal can backfire and can collapse a relationship-based outcome into a self-assigned identity, and in doing so, quietly erode credibility.
Real trust is asymmetric. It lives with person on the receiving end of it, not the adviser, not the leader, not a family member or friend. It shows up in what is shared, what is withheld, and who gets called when something actually matters.
The paradox is this:
The more someone needs to say they are trusted, the less likely it is that trust is already present.
So in summary, do the work and let trust speak for itself.
ENERGY
An emotion or energy; a stand-out word / s
Credible
Credible is from Latin and means “worthy of belief.” It is not about sounding convincing, but about being believable. Credibility forms quietly, through consistent behaviour over time.
ACTION
Something small that you can do that might make a big difference
Proof of Credibility
Firstly think of a credible intent, such as ‘I want people to see me a friend that shows up’, or ‘I want clients to see me a reliable’.
Think of 3 behaviours that would proove your intent - consider what someoen would see you do (and/or not do).
Think of way to start doing these things consistenly.
PROCESSING
A question to think about and consider (you can discuss this with someone or write your thoughts down)
“When have I experienced ‘forced’ trust - and how has it felt and influenced me?”
This week’s question invites you to reflect on moments when trust was assumed, demanded, or declared before it was earned. “Forced” trust can feel uncomfortable, even subtle. Did you withdraw, comply, resist, or become cautious?
I’d love for you to send me your own stories / thoughts about this. Drop me a line with your answer / thoughts on this question
SHOUT OUT
Who / what I think deserves recognition - my gratitude or to be celebrated.
Loving What You Do
When you genuinely care about the work, it shows. I feel really lucky that I love what I do - all of it! Loving what you do does not guarantee ease - that’s for sure - but it does create energy, resilience, and motivation.
The artwork featured in this section is all copyrighted and for private use only. If you wish to use these online, in blogs / features or in presentations etc - we are happy to discuss licences. Please get in touch. The downloads do not have watermarks.
If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.
BONUS GIFT FOR YOU
This week’s little extra for you - from me.
This week’s gift for you is a recreated GLAS visual for a great book by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall: Nine Lies About Work
The offer (below) is available to you for free (for 7 days) using the code: NINE when you check out. Access is via the link / button below.
Please note that if you miss the 7 day offer, we can not extend this for you. You can, however always access the download for a nominal charge.
The artwork featured in this section is all copyrighted and for private use only. If you wish to use these online, in blogs / features or in presentations etc - we are happy to discuss licences. Please get in touch. The downloads do not have watermarks.
If you’d like to discuss having your ideas, business or culture captured visually - you can also let me know via email.
LEAPS is a process used by our team and clients all the time - and even my own family on a daily basis.
I’ll be sharing a set of LEAPS each week with you and encourage you to do your own version:
L: what have you learned?
E: what’s your energy / feeling word
A: what’s one thing you need to do?
P: what are you thinking / processing?
S: who or what can you shout out?
