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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
How Trust Works summary
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How Trust Works summary
Peter H. Kim
The Science of How Relationships Are Built, Broken, and Repaired
21 mins
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How Trust Works
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The intricacies and importance of initial trust
Have you ever met someone new and immediately felt a sense of trust towards them? This is more common than you might think. Contrary to the popular belief that trust must be earned slowly over time, research shows that people often exhibit a surprisingly high level of trust right from the outset. This phenomenon challenges traditional views that humans are inherently selfish, exploitative and opportunistic.
Trust, in its essence, is a psychological state involving the willingness to accept vulnerability based on positive expectations of others. This definition encapsulates the complexity of trust, breaking it down into its core components: a psychological state, a willingness to be vulnerable, and the reliance on positive expectations of others. While economic theories often view trust in terms of risk reduction, real-world scenarios paint a different picture.
For instance, an experiment involving participants watching a job interview demonstrated that people tend to trust others based on very limited information. The participants showed a considerable amount of trust in the job candidate they barely knew, and had high confidence they’d be able to perform the job after only a very limited amount of time. But why?
Several factors influence this initial trust. Societal context, for one, plays a significant role – trust is often shaped by the laws, regulations, and norms of a society. Additionally, individual personality traits contribute to how much one is inclined to trust others. Rapid cognitive cues, such as first impressions, also impact our trust judgments. Though these judgments can be flawed and lead to biases, they are a fundamental aspect of how we navigate social interactions.
The benefits of high initial trust are manifold. It fosters cooperation and societal functioning, paving the way for forming new relationships and starting ventures. Interestingly, studies have shown that when people are perceived as trustworthy, they are more likely to behave in a cooperative and ethical manner. This suggests that trust can often be a self-fulfilling prophecy, where initial trust leads to behaviors that justify that trust.
But maintaining this trust can be challenging. While initial trust is vital for societal endeavors and contributes significantly to the prosperity of nations, it remains susceptible to violations. Understanding these violations and the ways to manage them is crucial for sustaining trust in society. In essence, while our natural inclination towards trust might seem naive, it is, in fact, a critical component of successful and prosperous societal interactions.
In the next section we’ll take a closer look at what happens when this trust is broken.
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What is How Trust Works about?
How Trust Works (2023) delves into the intricate dynamics of trust, exploring its fundamental role in forming, breaking, and repairing relationships. It offers a comprehensive guide to understanding how trust operates within personal and community connections, backed by extensive research in the field of trust repair.
How Trust Works Review
How Trust Works (2022) explores the intricate world of trust and why it's crucial in our personal and professional relationships. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It unveils the inner workings of trust, providing a profound understanding of how trust is built, nurtured, and maintained in various contexts.
- By drawing on real-life examples and case studies, the book offers valuable insights and practical strategies for building trust and avoiding trust breaches.
- With its thought-provoking analysis and relatable stories, the book explores the complexities of trust in a way that keeps readers engaged and eager to learn more.
Who should read How Trust Works?
- Relationship counselors and therapists seeking trust-building strategies
- Business leaders and managers focused on team cohesion
- Anyone interested in improving personal and professional relationships
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How Trust Works FAQs
What is the main message of How Trust Works?
The main message of How Trust Works is understanding the importance of trust and how it impacts our lives.
How long does it take to read How Trust Works?
The reading time for How Trust Works varies, but it can be read in a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is How Trust Works a good book? Is it worth reading?
How Trust Works is definitely worth reading. It provides insightful perspectives on trust and offers practical guidance for building and nurturing it.
Who is the author of How Trust Works?
The author of How Trust Works is Peter H. Kim.
What to read after How Trust Works?
If you're wondering what to read next after How Trust Works, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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- Get Smart! by Brian Tracy
- Be Here Now by Ram Dass