The Tribune

PEOPLE often say that their word is their bond, meaning that once they give you their word, you can trust them to follow through on doing what they say they would do.

However, in a culture of rampant anxiety and epic uncertainty, what is the value of your word and trustworthiness? Do you live up to your words or are you just spewing those words you think people want to hear with no any real intent of holding up your end of the deal?

Trustworthiness and keeping one’s word is a struggle for many. Today, people are tired of the many instances of distrust in their personal or professional lives. Endless incidences of distrust in the business and corporate sector leave many scrambling to find a sense of trust and people they can believe in.

The truth of the matter is, whether at home, in the workplace, corporate entities and religious organisations and governments, people everywhere are emotionally fatigued by the growing lack of trust, which affects the quality of life. Trust is one of our most precious resources.

Without the rich foundation of trust, which underpins the promises of companies and businesses everywhere, everything as we know it would come to a complete halt.

The question is when it comes to trust, how do you measure up? It is up to you to be responsible for your own quality of trust. How trustworthy are you and how trusting are you of others depends on your inner sense of trust.

At its centre point, trust is about personal integrity. Without integrity, credibility and trust are absent. More than anything else, the lack of trust undermines all relationships, whether at home or at work.

Trust is critical. When trust is high, people work with more confidence and are more productive. When trust is low it produces low morale and low productivity.

When there’s lack of personal integrity, what people say about you will not matter as much as what you will say about yourself. Lack of personal integrity corrodes your own sense of self and without self-integration your life begins to disintegrate. It’s not a matter of if, but when.

Be a person of your word. Be someone people can trust. It builds confidence and competence. It positions you as someone worthy of high responsibility. This is the other side of being trustworthy.

There’s no quality that can change the world in a sustainable way, like the quality of trust. People do bigger and better business with people they can trust. Remember, you are your words. Every word that you put forward will not return to you empty. In the end, you will reap whatever it is that you sow.

Find the courage to be true, sincere and honourable in your dealings. This is a sign of self-respect. Practice the habit of speaking truth to power. Be truthful and honest with yourself - because you deserve the courtesy of the truth.

Winston Churchill said it well:

‘The truth is incontrovertible. Ignorance may deride it, malice may attack it, but in the end - there it is’

Trust and truth are powerful platforms, which open the door to endless possibilities. In the end, your words are all that you really have. They are the glue of trustworthiness that bonds your life. Be a person who can be trusted - a person who keeps their word - because it is who you are.

Your words are the agents and negotiator of your life experiences. Keeping your word is a matter of trust that adds value to your personal success.

From leader to leader, make today the day that you increase your productivity by increasing your trust quotient. In so doing, you lay the bricks for living the life that you love.

• What do you think? Please send your comments to coaching242@yahoo.com or 429-6770.

Michelle M. Miller is a certified Life-Coach, and Leadership Expert. Questions or comments can be sent to coaching242@yahoo.com or telephone 429-6770 or visit www.michellemmiller.com or snail mail to PO Box CB-13060.