I saw this article the other day (see http://blogs.cjonline.com/index.php?entry=6391) that caught my eye. Why do we feel that trusting others is risky?
The whole thing about trust is that is all about our ability to rely on others (and sometimes its about relying on ourselves). If we are relying on others and they let us down, the response can go from mild disappointment to full-on violence, and the response is largely dependent on how important the whole thing was to us, and whether we come from a blind trust or a sceptical trust base.
What we often do, though, is we trust others without telling them:
1. that we are, in fact, trusting them, relying on them
2. what we are trusting in them to do
3. how important that is to us
If we don't articulate these things, then the risk is huge. If we do take the time to articulate these things, we also give the other person the opportunity to let us know if they want to take that on. Can they truly promise to deliver that for you? If not, then you're trusting the wrong person.
Trust is a two way thing, and some of us will blindly trust and often be let down, others will hold back from trusting others and will miss out on great opportunities and wonderful relationships.
Yes, trusting others can be risky, but as they say in financial cirles, the greater the risk, the greater the return! Just make sure you communicate first!
This blog has moved to truthabouttrust.blogspot.com.au and covers a huge range of aspects of trust - from trust in organisations, trust in families and trust in communities. Come and join me there :)
