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Us Against the World?

2/18/2014

1 Comment

 
Most Americans are suspicious of one another in everyday encounters, according to an AP-GfK poll conducted in October 2013. Only a third of Americans say most people are trustworthy. About 50 percent felt that way in 1972, when the General Social Survey first posed the question. Now nearly two-thirds of us (a record high) say, "you can't be too careful.”

Although the results of this study might seem depressing, they are related to a cornerstone concept we have been teaching for many years:  Trust is not a prerequisite for communication—it is a byproduct of communication.  The implications of this are vast.  Until we begin to communicate—in conscious and respectful ways—with people who have different opinions and worldviews, we are doomed to relationships fraught with mistrust and misunderstanding.   It is when we begin to build communication bridges with people that we are able to create trust—even from conflict.


We want to hear: Do you recall a time when communicating with someone you did not especially trust at first ultimately led to a more trusting relationship? Share your responses to the weekly discussion question here.
1 Comment
Merry B link
2/21/2014 07:43:12 am

I recently read that if you are worried about a stranger following you in a public place you should turn and ask them for the time, or something friendly. Communicate and establish that you noticed them and by looking at them you will remember them. The simple interchange is supposed to deter criminals who want to remain annonymous.
In business, we often are put in the situation where we have to depend on and do business with people we don't know or trust.
As are our customers also, when they initiate contact with us for information or sales. Putting them at ease in a friendly and professional way, always seems to help. Establishing things you have in common, or helping them with things they want to know, helps build that trust and communication that builds more trust in time.
There have been many times when I have been hesitant to trust someone with information like my credit card number, personal or company information, and etc.. I find the more communication you have with these people the more trust you can build or feel yourself.
One of my problems with trust is call centers that contact me and want information that is personal. Knowing the level of fraud and scams out there, I am extremely reluctant to trust any of them.
Yesterday, I was contacted by yet another place about diabetes supplies. I really did not want to talk to them, and voiced some of my concerns/reasons. The young man on the phone realized he was not going to get thru to me, and had a supervisor talk to me and answer my questions. He was willing to give me his full name, and his phone number at the company, that could have been a lie I realize, but it was presented with such friendliness and openness, along with complete information on every quesion I asked, that he actually established a level of trust with me that allowed me to agree to get my supplies thru them. In retrospect, I realize it could all have been phoney, but he was so good I actually believed him.
I will know soon if I was right to or not.
Every day we establish trust with unknown people and businesses, both ways hopefully. I think that young man had the right approach, to be open, honest, and establish a good level of communication both ways. If you are open to it, I think communication can lead to trust. We are living in some very hard times and everyone is a bit paranoid. Well, I guess it is not paranoid if they really ARE out to get you! lol Building trust is essential to doing business and to the relationships we have outside work. Communication is the only way. Glad you brought this up.

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  • Courses
    • All Courses
    • BreakThrough Conflict
    • Hardwiring Teamwork
    • Persuasion & Influence
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    • Hybrid Learning System
    • Self-paced video
    • Live Virtual
    • In-Person Seminar
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    • Testimonials on Virtual Learning
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    • About the Glasers
    • Communication Capsule Blog
    • Published Research
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  • Contact