Trust: The secret ingredient in building a business (and yes, it's a recipe)

Picture this: you’re whipping up a business, mixing together passion, strategy, and the finest market research money can buy. But there's one ingredient that, if left out, will make your whole dish flop—trust. No, not the kind you have in your grandma’s secret pie recipe, but the trust between you, your employees, your customers, investors, and pretty much anyone else who’s important to your business.

Whether you’re pitching to a client, rallying your team, or negotiating with investors, trust is the magic sauce that holds everything together. Without it, even the most brilliant business idea will struggle to take off. So, how do you build trust? It’s not as simple as sprinkling a little kindness here or a dash of sincerity there. In fact, it’s a carefully crafted recipe with specific ingredients. And lucky for you, I’m about to share the recipe for success when it comes to building trust in your business.

1. Trust before you know it’s safe

First up, you’ve got to make the decision to trust, even when you’re not 100% sure it’s a safe bet. Yes, this sounds a bit like choosing to skydive without checking your parachute, but hang on. According to the book The Decision to Trust by Robert Hurley, people who are able to take that leap of faith are often the ones who end up building stronger, more resilient relationships. This doesn't mean blindly trusting everyone, but it does mean being willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. After all, trust has to start somewhere!

2. Admit your mistakes (and that you’re not a superhuman)

Nobody likes that person who pretends they’ve got it all together all the time. We’ve all made mistakes—accidentally replying-all in an email, launching a product too soon, or, I don’t know, ordering too much office pizza (is there such a thing?). The point is, admitting when you’ve goofed up or when you're feeling uncertain doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. When others see that you're willing to own your flaws, they’ll feel more comfortable being honest about theirs too.

3. Be open and learn from others

If you walk around with a "know-it-all" attitude, not only will people secretly wish you step on a Lego, but they’ll also find it hard to trust you. The reality is that you don't know everything, and that’s okay! Be open to feedback, ask for advice, and take learning as an opportunity to connect with others. When people feel that their knowledge and insights matter, trust blooms. And let’s be honest, nobody likes working with a person who acts like they invented wisdom.

4. Show that you actually care

It’s impossible to build trust if people think you see them as cogs in your corporate machine. Take the time to ask your employees how they’re doing, check in on your clients' satisfaction, and show a genuine interest in the well-being of others. Caring about people isn’t a soft skill—it’s a business superpower. When people know that you have their best interests at heart, they’ll be far more likely to trust you.

5. Be honest, even when it’s awkward

People can smell insincerity from a mile away. If you're just telling people what they want to hear, they’ll catch on pretty quickly, and trust will go out the window faster than an intern who realizes there’s free pizza in the break room. Be honest, even when it’s uncomfortable. If you don’t agree with something, speak up. If you’re facing a challenge, be transparent about it. It might feel risky, but honesty is the foundation upon which long-term trust is built.

6. Share your knowledge freely

Knowledge hoarding? Not a good look. When you openly share what you know and help others grow, not only do you create an environment of trust, but you are being trusted – showing your expertise gives you trust. Think of it as teaching someone (customers) to fish rather than giving them the fish—or, in business terms, showing your team or the investors how problems are solved. People will trust you more when they see you aren’t afraid of them becoming just as capable as you are. And trust me, it is really appreciated to help others this way.

7. Borrow perspectives (even if you don’t agree)

This is a bit like putting yourself in someone else's shoes, but it’s more than that. It's showing the other person that you get where they’re coming from—even if you don’t necessarily agree. By demonstrating that you understand their perspective, you create a sense of connection. Trust isn’t about always being on the same page; it’s about acknowledging that other pages even exist. People will appreciate you for it, and trust will follow.

8. Keep your cool (Seriously, don’t flip tables)

If you’re the type of person who flies off the handle at the slightest provocation, building trust is going to be a challenge. Trust thrives in stability. People want to know they can predict how you’ll react—without worrying if you’re going to throw your stapler across the room in a moment of frustration. Practicing self-control and being consistent in your actions will help others feel secure in their relationship with you. Nothing, nothing teas down the tower of trust as fast as an aggressive tone.

In the end, building trust isn’t rocket science— there are proven ways to do this fast. If you do the above, you’ll be great. However, there is one more thing you can do if you really want to speed up the trust process. Because building trust often takes time, unfortunately. 

So – what is the most important thing?

SHOW WHO YOU TRULY ARE

Trust is built when people feel they know the real you—not just the professional mask you wear at work. This means talking about things that matter to you, your passions, and what drives you on a personal level. It’s about letting people see that you’re not a robot programmed for success, but a person with emotions, vulnerabilities, and strengths.

And here’s the kicker: when people share their vulnerabilities with you—whether it’s their fears, their passions, or things that truly affect them—you’re in the fast lane to building trust. It shows that they feel safe enough to open up, and reciprocating by sharing your own true self creates a bond that’s hard to break. In essence, trust is built when we peel back the layers and let others see who we are beyond just our job titles.