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OPINION
Building trustworthy relationships
When we intentionally build connections focused on authenticity, we create healthy, long-lasting relationships that drive a return-on-investment.
T he ability to build trust has been a focus point for many organizations over the past decade or two as new generations enter and take over the modern workforce. Gone are the days of “My way or the highway” or “We have the best product or service, and people will buy it regardless of how we treat them” because the concept of trustworthiness has entered the conversation.
Duncan Robertson, CPSM
TRUST VS. TRUSTWORTHINESS: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? The chasm between trust and trustworthiness might seem nonexistent, however, as we look deeper, we realize there are nuances that significantly differentiate the two. As put clearly by Ludmila Praslova of FastCompany.com, trust has become a buzzword within modern businesses. Praslova goes on to state that only 50 percent of employees trust their employer, and more than 60 percent of people “feel that business leaders use deception.” It is an important distinction to make, because just as building trust is the foundation of any great relationship, trustworthiness is a long-term effort that lasts over time, shows a consistent, genuine concern
for others, and is part of all aspects of a relationship. While trust can be taken away in a fraction of the time it took to build it, trustworthy relationships rely on years of authenticity in words, actions, and behaviors to stand the test of challenges or conflicts. TRUSTWORTHY RELATIONSHIPS CREATE POSITIVE CULTURES. The pandemic changed the way we operate in business since 2020. During the pandemic, people took to LinkedIn and other social networks to stay connected in a time of isolation and loneliness. It was during that time when the revolution of authenticity took over the business world. Everyone wants to build genuine relationships with one another, but what does it look like to develop these
See DUNCAN ROBERTSON , page 10
THE ZWEIG LETTER MARCH 17, 2025, ISSUE 1577
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