Who or What Do You Trust?

“Trust is the highest form of human motivation. It brings out the very best in people.” – Stephen R. Covey

Trust is often described as the glue that holds society together. It allows us to live, work, collaborate and connect with others. Without it our daily life would become exhausting. We’d end up having to question every decision, every instruction and every interaction.

Recently, I was at a networking meeting when the conversation turned to what do we mean and need to trust. It was one of those discussions that has really made me think and has stayed with me long after the event ended.

What do we actually mean when by the word trust?

It’s a small word, yet it carries a surprising number of meanings and applications.

Trust is not just something we have. It is something we do.

As children, trust comes naturally. We trust our parents without giving it much thought. When they tell us to eat something, wear a coat, or hold their hand while crossing the road, we generally do it. Their guidance feels certain and safe. We trust them.

However this is put into debate when the teenage years arrive, and suddenly it is not so straight forward.

The interesting thing is that trust is something that evolves. It shifts from being something given automatically to something that is earned, tested and consciously chosen.

"Trust You To..."

Have you ever heard someone say, “Trust you to say that”?

Perhaps it relates to someone who always speaks their mind, blurts out the thought that everyone else is thinking, or offers an opinion before engaging their internal filter.

We often use trust in this context to describe predictability.

We trust people to behave in ways that are consistent with who they are.

Sometimes that’s comforting.

Sometimes it’s amusing.

And occasionally it’s slightly frustrating.

Yet beneath the phrase is an acknowledgement that we know what to expect from that person

Trust Your Gut

Then there’s another kind of trust altogether. This is the trust we place in ourselves, our intuition.

How many times have you ignored a feeling that something wasn’t quite right, only to later wish you had listened to it?

Or felt drawn towards an opportunity without being able to logically explain why?

We often refer to this as trusting our gut.

It’s those subtle internal signals. The red flags we can’t quite name. The quiet knowing. The feeling that something fits, or doesn’t. The people we are drawn towards and those who drain all your energy.

The challenge is that modern life often encourages us to seek answers outside ourselves. We gather opinions, conduct research, compare options and look for reassurance.

Yet sometimes our deepest wisdom arrives as a feeling rather than a fact.

The question is: how often do we listen and more importantly, act upon it?

Trust the Process

During my coach training, I repeatedly heard the phrase:

“Trust the process.”

At first, I wasn’t always convinced.

Like many people, I wanted certainty. I wanted to know exactly how things would unfold and precisely where I would end up.

But over time, I began to understand the value behind those words.

A good coach, mentor or teacher has already travelled the path. They’ve made mistakes, experienced setbacks, found solutions and discovered shortcuts.

They know the route because they’ve walked it themselves.

Trusting the process doesn’t mean giving away your power. It means recognising that sometimes the map you’re following has been drawn by someone with experience.

The journey may still feel uncomfortable.

There may be moments of doubt.

You may wonder whether anything is changing at all.

Then one day you look back and realise you’ve travelled much further than you ever thought possible and this is exactly what happens when my clients come and work with me.