#trust-building

#trust-building

Reciprocity (give-and-take exchange) is essential for successful human interactions. Feeling motivated to return a favor (and feeling owed for a favor) drives social behavior, personal interaction, and interpersonal attraction too. In fact, as I discuss in Attraction Psychology (Nicholson, 2022), reciprocal social exchange is the heart of dating and romantic relationships. Beyond that, it is a motivational force in professional interactions as well.

We've all felt the pressure to be "on." To be witty, magnetic, full of stories, and somehow the kind of person others orbit around. From job interviews to first dates to Instagram bios, we're taught to polish ourselves into a brand. Be bold. Be memorable. Be interesting. But here's a quiet truth that doesn't get enough airtime: Being interesting is overrated. What really opens doors, deepens bonds, and changes lives isn't being the most fascinating person in the room. It's being the most interested.

"It's an abomination, the Bible says so. Marriage is between a man and woman. Anything else is unnatural, it's wrong!" He was, as we say in these parts, convicted in his words. "I hear you," I replied. "I know that the idea seems a little odd to some folks. But the main thing I get from the Bible is that we're supposed to love one another, especially people who are different from us, hard for us to love." That's all I said. He chewed on that for a moment and then replied, "I guess you're right." And then, after a bit more pondering, "Well, I suppose they're just born that way anyway."

For decades, the formula for selling cars was straightforward: a big, visible lot, a catchy radio jingle, and a friendly salesperson ready to greet customers as they arrived. But the car-buying journey has fundamentally changed. Today, that journey almost always begins online, with weeks or even months of research happening on a phone or a laptop long before a customer ever sets foot on your property.

Value-driven content naturally attracts leads without much convincing. When interacting with personalized tools like quizzes or calculators, users gain insights while building trust.

We weren’t in the technology business. We were in the trust building business. For us, trust meant three things: consistency, responsiveness, and showing up when it mattered most.

In a world saturated with content and automation, selling feels disconnected and buyers are overwhelmed, resulting in a disconnect between sellers and their audience.

Personal branding transcends your current role or business, shaping how people describe you when you're not in the room and opening unexpected doors.

A Glow Back Moment is when a parent acknowledges a conflict and seeks to reconnect, emphasizing that their relationship matters despite difficulties.

The key to standing out in a competitive title industry is building strong relationships and being known for your reliability and communication.

In today’s workplaces, where hybrid teams and digital interactions dominate, subtle trust signals matter more than ever.

"You don't seem experienced enough might sound like a negative, but it often signals a trust gap between the client’s expectations and your capabilities."

We're equals,' one founder told me. 'We split everything 50/50. Power isn't an issue.' But within two sessions, it was clear-power was the issue. It just hadn't been named.

Coaching is an intensely personal service where clients are investing in a relationship that promises to help them grow. That's why content marketing is such a vital tool for coaches looking to demonstrate their expertise, share their voice and connect with their ideal audience.

We've embraced an agile editorial mindset, while remaining anchored in our brand narrative of helping people achieve their goals through responsible lending.