Trust



Trust is a core ingredient in all successful and thriving relationships. It is the foundation that allows us to feel safe, without it, we won’t have a coaching relationship. Without it, we don’t have anything.

It’s a crucial element in any relationship, I believe it’s something fundamental but yet so delicate. I’ve personally experienced the devastation of having trust broken and for those of us who’ve experienced anything similar, we know, it’s not something easy to mend.

Trust in a coaching relationship allows the client to feel safe to open up, to be vulnerable, and to be themselves. For a coaching relationship to thrive and be successful, it is therefore crucial not just to build trust, but to maintain it.

How then do we build trust? And how do we maintain it? I believe all relationships begin with some level of trust, and what we do and say during the course of our interactions will determine if the trust level will grow or decline. Building trust requires repeated positive interactions, and over a period of time, it requires consistent effort. While I believe there isn’t an exact science in building trust, I believe the following components can help:

1. Stay Committed – People need to know that we can be depended on. We need to follow through on commitments that have been made. It shows that we are dependable and can be counted on. Reliability is important especially when clients lean on coaches for support.

2. Keep Confidences – When clients confide in us, it’s important to keep their trust by not sharing confidential information with others. Respect their privacy and don't share their secrets or personal information without permission.

3. Be Consistent – Consistency is crucial in building trust. We have to ensure our words and actions are aligned. This helps establish a sense of predictability. When people are unsure what to expect each time they interact with us, it makes trusting us difficult.

4. Show Care – When someone feels cared for, when they feel we have their best interest in mind and that we’re genuinely concerned for their well-being, the feeling of trust grows.


Trust is a two-way street, but as a coach, it is our responsibility to set the stage for trust. It starts with the sincere desire to want to help the client grow and to help them meet their objectives. A lot can be achieved in a coaching relationship, but nothing can happen without trust.

 

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