Using the Trust Equation in Tough Conversations

You don’t need authority to be influential. Picture this: You're leading a cross-department project and you've come up with a great idea. But now, you need approval to move forward. How do you get it? Influence and persuasion start with trust. 💡 The Trust Equation states: Trustworthiness = (Credibility + Reliability + Connection) ÷ Self-Orientation. In other words, trust takes more than just being honest. You also have to keep your commitments and be seen as someone who cares about others. 💡 Cialdini's 7 Principles give you another guide: 1. Authority: Share your expertise ↳ "I've successfully led 3 similar projects." 2. Social Proof: Show others' buy-in ↳ "Marketing and Sales already support this." 3. Liking: Build genuine rapport ↳ "I appreciate your insights on our last project." 4. Scarcity: Create urgency ↳ "We have a limited window to capitalize on this." 5. Reciprocity: Offer value first ↳ "Let me first help you achieve your top priorities." 6. Commitment: Start small, then scale ↳ "How about we run a quick pilot to test this idea?" 7. Unity: Find common ground ↳ "As a team committed to innovation..." Both your actions and words matters. As well as how you say those words. 💡 Use the SOFTEN Model to build instant rapport: S = Smile: A genuine smile sets a positive tone O = Open Posture: Show you're receptive and engaged F = Forward Lean: Stay focused on the conversation T = Tone: Use a warm, friendly tone of voice E = Eye Contact: Keep steady, comfortable eye contact N = Nod: Show active listening and agreement Remember: Influence isn't about manipulation. It's about clear communication and mutual benefit. When you focus on creating value, you naturally become more persuasive. And that gives you huge advantages:  — Greenlights for your projects — Career advancement — Stronger network — Better results Build trust, create value, apply these principles. Focus there and the opportunities will come. ♻️ Find this valuable? Repost to help others. Follow @vince jeong for posts on leadership, learning and systems thinking. Hi 👋 I'm Vince, CEO of Sparkwise. We help teams master skills together with engaging live group learning available on demand. DM me for a free demo.

No one likes having difficult conversations. But they're necessary. The Elite Leader's Guide to Productive Tough Talks: 73% of employees quit because of poor leadership communication. New research from MIT reveals the hidden power of specific word choices in leadership: Using these hacks to make tough talks much easier: • Decision Framing ↳ "Here's what this means for your career growth..." ↳ "This impacts our goals by specifically..." • Accountability Language ↳ Replace "We should" with "I will" ↳ Convert "Let's try" to "I commit to" • Growth Signaling ↳ "What did we learn from this setback? ↳ "How could we test this approach?" But the real game-changer? MIT found these 3 micro-behaviors doubled trust scores: • Pausing 2 seconds before responding • Using employee names when giving feedback • Stating impact before asking for action Warning: Avoid these trust-killing phrases: ↳ "With all due respect" ↳ "No offense, but" ↳ "In my experience" They trigger the same brain regions as physical threats (literally). Instead, use these science-backed alternatives: • Validate + Redirect "Your point about X is important. Here's another angle..." • Problem + Partnership "This is challenging. Let's map out options together." • Impact + Inquiry "This affects our Q4 goals. What resources would help?" The data is clear: Words shape reality. Choose yours with precision. What phrases have you found most effective during tough talks? Share your experience below 👇 If you found this valuable: • Repost for your network ♻️ • Follow me for more deep dives • Join 25,500+ subscribers for more actionable tips to build your brand and protect your reputation: https://lnkd.in/edPWpFRR

The conversation framework that transformed our client relationships: (Even when delivering difficult news) Difficult conversations, delivered skillfully, build more trust than years of smooth sailing. The key is having a system. My three-part framework that transforms challenging conversations... 1. Preparation creates confidence Never enter difficult conversations blind. Gather complete information beyond the bad news. Include context, alternatives, and solutions. Build explanation frameworks before you need them. When clients ask hard questions, have real answers ready. 2. Structure enhances clarity How you deliver matters as much as what you deliver. Start with context and purpose - why this conversation matters now. Present information directly. No corporate speak, no hedging. Acknowledge the impact and emotions involved. Then pivot to next steps and support. Clarity beats comfort every time. 3. Follow-through builds trust Document outcomes immediately. Deliver on every commitment made during the conversation. Check in regularly... they'll tell you if it's too much. Provide ongoing support without being asked. The conversation isn't over when the call ends. Clients don't remember the easy conversations. They remember how you handled the hard ones. - Want boardroom intelligence with zero noise? Every week we share curated insights that cut through the chaos and help you make the best policy decisions: Join here: https://lnkd.in/garzxSxG LION Specialty. The Leader in Institutional Insurance. 🦁