Better Questions, Better Results

How Can You Achieve Trust with Someone? Building genuine bonds through reliability, transparency, and empathy Framing the Question Wondering  how to achieve trust with someone  in both personal and professional settings? Trust is earned through consistent actions, clear communication, and genuine care. In this post, you’ll learn a step-by-step framework—from the “1% Rule” micro-improvements to quarterly trust audits—that shows you exactly  how to steadily earn someone’s trust  and measure it over time. The Trust Paradox We All Face I learned about trust the hard way when I was 28, working as a consultant for a tech startup. My client, Sarah, had been burned by three previous consultants who over-promised and under-delivered. When we first met, she literally said, “I don’t trust consultants anymore, but I need help.” Six months later, she referred me to four other companies. What changed? I discovered that trust isn’t built through grand gestures—it’s forged in the mu...

How Can Transparent Communication Improve Trust and Collaboration Within Your Team? Openness Builds Bridges: Why Transparency Turns Teams Into High-Trust Collaborators  When a team operates behind a fog of half-truths or unspoken worries, small misunderstandings can snowball into big problems. Transparent communication is the antidote: it builds trust, aligns goals, and transforms coworkers into true collaborators. If you want your team to perform at its best, understanding how to practice openness is essential. Why Our Brains Crave Transparency Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a neurochemical edge. When team members perceive transparency, their brains release  oxytocin , the “trust hormone,” calming the brain’s threat detector. This means: Less energy wasted on scanning for hidden agendas Better focus and flexibility More willingness to share ideas and admit mistakes Without transparency,  cortisol  floods in, triggering stress and defensive behavior. The resu...

How can trust overcome self-interest for lasting success? February 6, 2025|Accountability, Collaboration, Communication, Ethics, Personal Development, Question a Day, Results, Trust Question a Day Introduction What makes a business, relationship, or leader truly successful? It’s not just intelligence, ambition, or even innovation—it’s  trust . Self-interest is a natural instinct. It drives competition, fuels ambition, and can lead to quick wins. But when self-interest goes unchecked, it erodes trust, damages reputations, and ultimately leads to failure.  The most successful people and organizations understand that trust is not a weakness—it’s the ultimate competitive advantage. The question is:  How can trust consistently overcome self-interest to create long-term success?  Let’s break it down. The Power of Trust in a Self-Interested World Why Trust Outperforms Self-Interest Trust is the foundation of every lasting relationship, whether in business, leadership, or pe...

  How do you know if you're getting paid what you're worth? 23 November 2024 | Equality, Equal Pay, Fair Pay, Same Work, Transparency  Determining if you’re getting paid what you’re worth can be a bit of a detective mission—a mix of market research, self-assessment, and perhaps a touch of negotiation finesse. Below, let’s dive into the most effective ways to assess if you’re being compensated fairly and the steps you can take to improve your earnings if you’re not. 1. Research Your Market Value The first step in evaluating if you're being paid fairly is understanding your "market value," which varies based on your role, experience, industry, and location. Here’s how to find it: Salary Websites : Use sites like Glassdoor , Payscale , and LinkedIn Salary to get a range of what professionals in your role and area are making. Input your specific job title, region, and experience level for the most accurate results. Company Comparison : Check if your company's ave...