Implications of trust and distrust starting points
Trust thought for today - should trust or distrust be the default setting in a new relationship with org or person? This great question is from the chat at Apolitical Trust and public service event yesterday.
The answer? It depends. Back to yesterday's TTFT, the question assumes a blank slate, which there never is. So you will also have views/hunches based on your personality type, experiences, (incl of them, people/orgs like them), context, culture, world view & more. So you will likely let that steer you in reality.
But here are the implications for both, because in practice you do have a choice, including even trusting those who in the past haven't been trustworthy. You will treat those you distrust differently from those you trust. This sets the tone and approach for the whole relationship. (Remember the starting point doesn't mean you can't change your mind at any point.)
DEFAULT TO DISTRUST - You will be less likely to let them work without supervision or these days surveillance. Put hoops in place for them to jump thru to prove themselves trustworthy; their words will be seen and interpreted through a different lens. You won't go out of your way to be helpful or collaborative and assume the worst when things go wrong.
If they feel distrusted, they are likely to be defensive, uncooperative, do the minimum. Or they could strive to earn your trust.
DEFAULT TO TRUST - The treatment & tone is different again. You will leave them alone to get on with things, give them responsibility, be more open to their ideas, recommend them to others, be more helpful and give them the benefit of the doubt when things go wrong.
If they feel trusted, they are likely to be cooperative, go the extra mile. Or take advantage of your trust!
TRUST FIRST is an important concept in trust research. You can see why. Your default setting can be disempowering, or empowering, stimulate resentment (esp if trustworthy in first place) or cooperation & compliance.
Interesting isn't it. So my recommendation is:
1. To explicitly understand your own starting point and the evidence for that.
2. Think about what actions and reactions result from each of those defaults and consider the implications. How you might be demonstrating trust or distrust.
3. When in doubt, default to trust. Being trusted, for once, can turn even hardened criminals to change their ways!
It was a real fun event with great questions, thanks Daisy Ireton for your great moderation & for having me on! Vid below. I muffed it there. This is my attempt to do better!
https://lnkd.in/gDWvSV4