Trust
As a reminder, just as lighthouses are powerful lights used to avoid dangerous areas; lighthouse principles are powerful beacons to guide successful people in all endeavors in life. They rise above so that they can be easily detected and used to navigate any situation involving the specific principle.

If you choose to ignore the principle then you run the risk of running aground and preventing yourself from moving forward. You will find out how critical they are if you live your life in contrast to the principles. This is the fifth in a series of blogs that are dedicated to highlighting the 10 principles that spell out L-I-G-H-T-H-O-U-S-E:

• Listening
• Integrity
• Gratitude
• Honesty
• Trust
• Humbleness
• Optimism
• Understanding
• Strategy
• Empathy

Trust is born out of character and competence. Successful people value, guard and build their character with deliberateness and directness not leaving anything to chance. They are consistent and can be counted on to be the person they present themselves to be. The successful person that can be trusted also gets the results, i.e. the competency factor. You can see the interdependence with integrity, honesty and trust.

Trust uses both sides of the brain in that is both an emotional and logical act when dealing with others. Emotionally, it is where you expose your vulnerabilities to people believing that they will not take advantage of you. Logically, it is something that is earned and is dependent upon your ability to be and do who you say you are and holding yourself accountable. This is not about being perfect but about presenting yourself again – as you are. It is the most precious and valued aspect of any important relationship.

Successful people know that trust is built upon making the other person feel significant, making oneself accessible, saying they ‘don’t know’, being vulnerable. Other ways trust is built is to volunteer information, standing up for people, sharing ideas, going above and beyond, demonstrating compassion and a whole lot more.