Trust Me, I Know What I am Doing
Have you ever had someone say to you, “trust me, I know what I am doing.” I am sure most of us have heard this line used, some of us may have even used this line. Right now, with out hesitation I am going to tell you to STOP…don’t ever use that line again. Don’t ever say “trust me.”
You may be asking yourself why I have said never use the line ‘trust me.” The answer is easy, if you must tell someone to trust you it can mean one of two things. One is that you are untrustworthy except for now and you must tell then to trust you…that make me trust you less, or if you believe you need to tell me to trust you then your actions and your character is not trustworthy.
I will guarantee if you are a trustworthy person, if you have good character and are competent in what you are doing there should be no reason I should need to be told, or you should have to confirm the need to be trusted; no reason at all. If you feel it is important to ask someone to ‘trust you,’ take time for a self-awareness check and ask yourself, “why do I need to ask to be trusted?”
One other fatal flaw in a trust conversation, have you ever said to someone “I am going to be honest with you?” My first thoughts are, have you not been honest with me up to this time, and why are you asking as I am not questing the motives of the conversation. Trust is built on honesty but not occasional honesty. We can honestly be right, honestly be wrong, or honestly not know but if you want to start being considered a trustworthy person never be in position to ask to speak honestly instead be a model of truth and trust.
Sterling Martin
High Road Leaders Canada
