Is Trust Fragile?
I've been pondering this question lately, prompted by the heartache of a broken relationship where trust was shattered beyond repair. It makes me wonder: How did we reach this point? How did trust become so fragile that the bond between us became irreparable?
Trust is a bond forged between two people; built on the mutual belief that they can rely on each other. The song "You've Got a Friend in Me" comes to mind—a reminder of the comfort and security trust brings.
In my exploration of trust, I’ve come to understand that it comprises six core facets. Imagine each facet as a strand, intricately woven together to create an incredibly resilient bond.
The strands of trust are:
Sincere
Competent
Reliable
Credible
Empathetic
Integrity-filled
So, what does it take to destroy this bond?
Consider a scenario where I fail to keep a promise. Stephen Covey referred to this as a withdrawal from the relational bank account. My balance decreases; the strand of reliability begins to fray. However, if I approach the situation with sincerity and empathy—apologizing for my actions and acknowledging the hurt I've caused—my past record of reliability and integrity can help reinforce the weakened strand until I can restore its strength by keeping future promises.
This sounds like a strong bond, doesn’t it? Perhaps trust isn’t as fragile as it seems.
Yet, let’s consider what happens if I break that promise and fail to show sincerity and empathy. If I don't make an effort to rebuild the broken trust, the damage to one strand begins to spread to others. The fracture in reliability is exacerbated by my lack of empathy, which leads to an unwillingness to apologize or make amends. If I've broken several promises before, the entire strand may be so frayed that it’s on the verge of snapping.
So, is trust fragile? I believe the answer is yes, but it doesn't have to be.
Going Deeper: The Power of Trust, Faithfulness, and Love in Building Strong Relationships
Want to delve deeper into the concept of trust? Check out my book, Joyful Leadership, and explore Chapter 2: Being Trustworthy.