Earning trust

Last week someone asked me what they could do to earn more trust with me. Even though we already share deep trust with each other, it opened up a fun conversation on what trust-building even is and what behaviors earn trust here at Duolingo.

Earning trust happens in a lot of ways. For me, it starts with being honest and real with people. You don’t sugar coat, and you don’t BS people. You’re reliable; you do what you say you’re going to do. No matter who you talk to, you’re consistent in what you say to others. Through it all, you are incredibly good at your craft. You repeatedly deliver hit after hit. Harvard Business Review wrote about trust as the most essential capital a leader can have.

People tend to trust you when they believe they are interacting with the real you (authenticity), when they have faith in your judgment and competence (logic), and when they feel that you care about them (empathy).

I walked away from that conversation inspired, appreciating this person more than I already did. One of the most important questions you can ask your working partner or manager this week: what can I do to earn more trust with you?