Business Matters

CHARMING BUT TRUSTWORTHY 1

Motivation

May 16, 2011

Make yourself trustworthy?

Charisma means nothing and in fact charisma in the dictionary is located very near the word “charlatan.”

Let me repeat what I said, charisma is nothing when the trustworthiness of the person is not there.

“The Power of Enchantment is authored by guy Kawasaki.” Guy Kawasaki maintains communications with me through email. We have attempted to meet in person because Guy lives in Mountain View and that is where my family stays during our yearly vacation but somehow our schedules have not been willing to permit.

But Guy never fails to respond to my email and inquiry and this is one of the reasons why I find him charming and trustworthy.

Do you mean that just by responding to emails is a way to build people’s trust?

You bet it is and I will explain.

How would you feel if you call up somebody and that somebody promises to call you back and doesn’t it? Does that person increases your level of trust or deflates it? In digital speak, showing up means answering your emails, tweets, voicemails, and video chats. When you promise to call back, call back.

I get a total of more than a hundred emails, tweets, facebook greetings and messages and SMS and though I don’t answer them all especially those that do not require me to, I do respond to as many of them as possible.

When someone pays me a compliment through Facebook I would reply with a comment of thanks.

Some of my friends could not believe I actually do this. My explanation is simple. If people who are busy would take the extra effort and time to drop me a note then it is incumbent upon me to return the favor by telling them how grateful I am. This is the rule of reciprocity.

If you want people to trust you, show up physically and virtually.

Another thing is this.

SHOW UP EARLY. I have gained the reputation in the industry as one person who would show up early and this removes the stress and tension from the organizers. This way I...