Trust is at the center of society, whether at the personal, local, national, or international level. We trust our friends and family with our thoughts and feelings; we trust our cities and states to plow the roads and provide public services; and even further out, banks and financial institutions learn to trust us through measurements like credit scores where we can prove how reliable we are when making payments.
According to trust-experts Imran and Aimee Tariq, authors of The Pyramid of Trust, there are easy and clear steps that everyone should follow to establish strong ties and trusting relationships with clients. By demonstrating integrity and transparent intent in one’s communication, one can build stronger relations and become a trusted figure in one’s field or subject.
Where and how to communicate
Imran and Aimee Tariq teach us that becoming an authority figure in one’s area of specialty is key to establishing trust. Consistently presenting new information on a subject allows others to value your opinion, input, and knowledge. Being clear on what your specialty is and where you offer value is essential to gaining trust from your clients or audience. By using several communication channels, one can hone this message while building a platform that proves one’s knowledge and expertise. Imran and Aimee recommend utilizing video content, visuals, and podcasts as just three examples of channels one can use to communicate knowledge and display trustworthy credentials.
People tend to trust face-to-face communication, and video is the next best thing. Able to get a full sense of who you are and what you stand for, creating video content will allow you to build an image around yourself and your qualities, according to The Pyramid of Trust. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram make it easy to disseminate this video content quickly. Making use of strong visuals and branding within videos and beyond also builds trust, displaying professionalism and consistency as well as a visual depiction of your business’ values and identity. Finally, podcasts provide the opportunity to present oneself as an expert on a subject, and network with others in the field, bringing on guest speakers for interviews that establishes a community around your platform.
Qualities to remember
The Pyramid of Trust shows that in every instance of communication, it is important to be demonstrating integrity, clear intent, and establishing a memorable connection. These factors will make others trust you and what you have to say. Demonstrating integrity and intent makes it clear that you are telling the truth and looking to be a genuine source of guidance. Making the communication relatable and full of personal connections allows people to trust you and regard you as a preeminent figure in your niche.
Imran and Aimee Tariq have made it their mission to become experts on building trust and advising others on how to do so. By employing their strategies and advice, they have seen individuals improve their client relations and business strategy to foster a more committed following and customer retention. To learn more about how to build trust, check out their book The Pyramid of Trust, here.
