The Trust Equation

This is the equation I use to measure Trust.

Yes, trust can be measured.

The Trust Equation, from Charles Green, provides a scientific, analytical and actionable framework for organizations and individuals improve their businesses and lives.

There are four variables in the Trust Equation.

Credibility
has to do with the words we speak. E.g.,“I can trust what she says about the subject matter; she’s credible.”

Reliability
has to do with actions. E.g., “I can trust him with the deliverable; he’s dependable.”

Intimacy
refers to the safety or security that we feel when entrusting someone with something. We might say, “I can trust her with that information; she’ll keep it confidential.”

Self Orientation
refers to the person’s focus. E.g.,”I can’t trust him on this offer — I think he’s in it more for his personal gains than my success.”

Higher the credibility, reliability and intimacy, and lower the self-orientation, better the Trust Quotient- TQ.

Now that you know what variables affect Trust, you also know how to improve our trustworthiness too.

Works for organizations too.

“People rarely give over their trust to institutions; really they trust other people.”

Agree?