7 simple ways to gain the trust of people you’ve just met

Have you ever felt nervous in a room full of people you don’t know, or struggled to find the right words when trying to impress a new coworker?

It’s a common problem – how do you make sure people you’re meeting for the first time see you as honest and real?

How can you turn those first meetings into strong, lasting connections?

Let me share something with you: after spending lots of time thinking about my own experiences and watching others, I’ve come up with 7 clear strategies to help build trust when meeting new people.

If what I’m saying sounds familiar, maybe it’s time to work on your social skills to make sure you’re not only part of other people’s lives but leaving a memory that sticks around.

1) Be authentic

Nothing can replace the power of authenticity.

In a world where people often wear masks and hide behind facades, being genuine is like a breath of fresh air. You might have found yourself in situations where you felt the need to project a certain image or persona that is not entirely you.

Think about how it felt.

Uncomfortable? Stressful, perhaps?

That’s because maintaining a facade is not just difficult for you; it also creates a barrier that prevents others from truly connecting with you.

The first and foremost strategy to earn people’s trust is to be unapologetically yourself.

Embrace your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses, and let your unique personality shine through.

When you are true to yourself, people sense it. They appreciate your honesty and are more likely to trust you.

Remember that genuine connections are built on the foundation of authenticity.

2) Active listening

In the rush to put ourselves forward, we often forget a fundamental aspect of human connection – listening.

You might have experienced conversations where you felt the other person was simply waiting for their turn to speak, rather than truly hearing you. This can make you feel unheard and undervalued and is not conducive to building trust.

Active listening, on the other hand, is a powerful tool that shows you value the other person’s perspective and are genuinely interested in understanding them.

This involves not just hearing their words, but also observing their body language, empathizing with their emotions, and responding in a way that shows your engagement.

When you give someone your full attention, it makes them feel important and respected. It shows that you’re not just looking to get something out of the interaction, but are also willing to give – your time, your attention, your understanding.

This is an incredibly effective way to earn someone’s trust.

So next time you’re in a conversation with someone new, resist the urge to dominate the conversation with your own stories and ideas.

Instead, focus on truly understanding them through active listening.

You’ll be surprised at how this simple shift can deepen your connection and foster trust.

3) Consistency

Consistency is key in building trust.

It’s about showing up, doing what you say you will do, and being reliable over time.

You might be charismatic and charming in your first meeting, but if your words and actions don’t align over time, trust can quickly erode.

Let me share a personal example.

When I first started my job, I was eager to make a good impression. I promised my team that I would take on several challenging projects.

While my intentions were good, I soon found myself overwhelmed and unable to deliver as promised. The inconsistency between my words and actions led my colleagues to question my reliability.

I learned from this experience that it’s better to promise less and deliver more than to overcommit and under-deliver.

Consistency, I found, was not about grand gestures, but rather about small, repeated actions that demonstrated my reliability over time.

Now, I am mindful of what I commit to and ensure that I follow through on my promises. This simple change has helped me gain the trust of not just my colleagues, but also new acquaintances.

4) Show empathy

Being empathetic is really about more than just understanding what someone else is feeling – it’s about sharing those feelings and seeing things from their viewpoint.

When you show empathy, you’re telling someone that their feelings and experiences are valid, which is a solid step toward building a trust-filled relationship with them.

And empathy isn’t just good for the person receiving it. It’s also really good for the person giving it, too, making relationships better all around.

Therefore, when you’re meeting someone new, try your best to show them empathy.

Pay attention to how they’re feeling, let them know you understand what they’re going through, and be kind and understanding in your responses.

Doing this not only helps to gain their trust but also helps make you feel good, and it helps to build a positive and respectful environment for both of you.

5) Be respectful

Respect is a cornerstone of any strong relationship.

It’s about acknowledging the other person’s worth and treating them with kindness and consideration. It might seem obvious, but it’s surprisingly easy to overlook, especially in new interactions where we’re trying hard to assert ourselves.

A few years ago, I attended a networking event where I met a variety of professionals from different industries.

In my eagerness to make connections, I found myself trying to dominate conversations and push my ideas forward. I realized later that I had interrupted several people and hadn’t given them the space to express their thoughts.

Consequently, I noticed a coldness from those individuals in our subsequent interactions. It dawned on me that in my rush to impress, I had not shown them the respect they deserved.

This was a pivotal moment for me.

From then on, I made a conscious effort to be more mindful in conversations, giving others the space to speak, acknowledging their ideas, and showing genuine respect.

This shift in behavior transformed my relationships and allowed me to gain the trust of new acquaintances more easily.

This simple act of consideration can be a powerful tool in gaining trust.

6) Display confidence

Having confidence can really help in building trust with others.

Being confident isn’t about pretending to know everything or never showing weakness.

It’s more about being okay with who you are, recognizing what you don’t know, and being ready to learn.

People usually feel that confident folks are more reliable and trustworthy. They’re often the go-to choice when someone needs a partner for a job or task.

The next time you meet someone new, just be yourself with a touch of confidence.

Stand straight, look them in the eyes, and speak in a clear way.

This act of showing confidence in yourself can help others believe in you too, making it easier to form a strong bond built on trust.

7) Be positive and encouraging

Finally, positivity and encouragement can help build trust.

When you approach situations with a positive attitude and encourage others in their endeavors, it creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that fosters trust.

I remember a time when I met a new colleague who was nervous about a big presentation.

Instead of focusing on potential pitfalls or negatives, I chose to encourage her and focus on the positive aspects of her work.

This not only helped her feel more confident but also led to a strong bond of trust between us.

Positivity and encouragement show that you care about the other person’s success and wellbeing, which can significantly enhance trust.

In your interactions with new acquaintances, strive to remain positive and be their cheerleader.

It could be the key to unlocking their trust.