Trust is a tricky thing. Sometimes you can’t understand why people don’t seem to trust you, and it’s frustrating.

Well, your behaviors might be the culprit. They might be sending the wrong signals, causing others to question your trustworthiness.

In this article, I’ll reveal eight behaviors that might make people think twice about trusting you. And hey, don’t worry – I’ll also help you fix them. So let’s dive in and figure this thing out together.

1) You’re not transparent enough

Trust is often tied to transparency. If people feel like you’re holding back or hiding something, they’re naturally going to be wary.

You know what I’m talking about – those little white lies, the ‘bending’ of truth, or even the omission of information. All these might seem harmless to you, but they can erode trust over time.

And here’s the thing: people are pretty good at sniffing out dishonesty. It’s like a sixth sense we all have.

So, if you’re wondering why people don’t trust you, it might be because they sense a lack of transparency in your words or actions.

Remember, honesty is always the best policy when building trust. It might be tough, but it’s worth it.

2) You don’t follow through

I am going to get a bit personal here. A few years back, I had a friend who was always full of big promises. Whether it was about helping me move or showing up for my birthday party, he’d commit wholeheartedly. But when the time came, he’d often bail out with some excuse.

And you know what? It hurt. Not because of the missed help or the empty seat at the party, but because it made me question his reliability. Could I trust his word? His actions told me otherwise.

And that’s the thing – trust isn’t just about honesty, it’s also about reliability. If people see that your actions don’t match your words, they can start to doubt your trustworthiness.

So, if you’ve been promising things and not delivering, people might find it hard to trust you. Always remember, actions speak louder than words!

3) You’re not a good listener

Here’s something you might not know. According to research, we spend around 60% of our communication time listening, but we only retain 25% of what we hear.

That’s surprisingly low, right?

Now, think about this in the context of trust. If someone feels like you’re not really listening to them or not valuing what they say, it can be a huge barrier to trust.

People want to be heard and understood. They want to feel that their words matter to you. If they don’t get that feeling, it’s hard for them to trust you.

So, if you’re always interrupting, or your mind seems elsewhere when someone is talking to you, it could be one of the reasons people are finding it hard to trust you. Remember, good listening is key to building trust!

4) You’re too self-centered

We all love to talk about ourselves. It’s only natural. But there’s a line between sharing and dominating the conversation, and crossing it can make you come off as self-centered.

If you’re always talking about your own achievements, interests or problems, people may feel like you don’t care about them. And that can seriously hinder trust.

Trust grows when people feel valued, understood, and cared for. If you’re always making it about you, those feelings are hard to cultivate.

So, if people don’t trust you, it might be time to reflect on how much space you’re giving to others in your conversations. Remember, a good conversation is a balance between talking and listening!

5) You don’t show empathy

Have you ever shared a problem with someone, only to have them brush it off or downplay your feelings? It hurts, doesn’t it?

Empathy – the ability to understand and share the feelings of others – is a cornerstone of trust. It makes people feel seen, heard, and valued.

If you’re always rushing to offer solutions without acknowledging someone’s feelings, or if you’re dismissive of what others are going through, it can make them feel like you don’t care. And that can seriously damage trust in your relationships.

So, if you find that people don’t trust you, it might be a good time to work on your empathy. Remember, everyone is fighting their own battles – showing understanding and compassion can go a long way in building trust.

6) You’re not consistent

When I was younger, I had a habit of changing my opinions on a whim. One day I’d be all for one thing, the next day I’d be completely against it. It was confusing for the people around me, and it made it hard for them to trust me.

Why? Because consistency is key to trust. People need to know where you stand. If you’re always changing your stance or your behavior is unpredictable, it can make people feel uneasy.

Trust is built over time, and it’s built on the foundation of consistent actions and words. If people can’t rely on you to be consistent, they may find it hard to trust you.

So, if you’ve been flip-flopping a lot lately, it might be time to take a step back and work on being more consistent. Remember, trust isn’t built in a day, but consistency can help speed up the process!

7) You don’t respect boundaries

Boundaries are essential in any relationship. They set the limits for acceptable behavior and ensure mutual respect.

If you’re always pushing beyond someone’s comfort zone, or ignoring their expressed wishes, it can make them feel violated and disrespected. And that’s not a good recipe for trust.

Trust is built on the foundation of respect and understanding. If people feel like their boundaries aren’t being respected, they’re going to find it hard to trust you.

So, if you’ve been overstepping boundaries, it might be time to take a step back and reassess your actions. Remember, respect for boundaries is crucial in building trust!

8) You’re not genuine

At the end of the day, nothing beats authenticity when it comes to building trust. People can sense when you’re being real and when you’re putting on a facade.

If you’re constantly trying to portray yourself as someone you’re not, people are likely to pick up on this. And it can make them question your authenticity and, ultimately, your trustworthiness.

Being genuine means being true to yourself, embracing your flaws and strengths, and not being afraid to show your true colors. This authenticity breeds trust.

So, if people don’t trust you, it might be a good time to do a self-check for authenticity. Remember, it’s okay to be you – in fact, it’s the most reliable way to build trust!

Final thought: It’s about growth

The beauty of being human lies in our capacity to learn, adapt, and grow.

Trust isn’t something that’s simply given; it’s earned. And sometimes, the journey to earning trust requires some self-reflection and change.

These behaviors we’ve discussed aren’t set in stone. They’re not definitive markers of your character. They’re simply patterns that might be impacting how others perceive you.

But the power to change these patterns lies in your hands. Remember, it’s never too late to cultivate behaviors that foster trust.

Whether it’s being more transparent, consistent, or empathetic, every small step matters. The journey might be challenging, but the rewards are worthwhile.

So as you move forward, keep this in mind: The essence of trust is not in perfection, but in authenticity and growth.