Friendship has the power to make us feel connected, secure and supported. Whether it’s a childhood friend, or a school/college friend, a work colleague, or a new acquaintance, forming friendships is a key part of our lives. But how do we create strong, lasting friendships?
Trust is a fundamental element of any relationship, and it’s essential for building strong relationships. It is the belief that the other person will be honest and reliable, and that he/she will respect your interests at heart.
When you trust someone, you feel safe and confident in their presence, and you know that you can rely on them in times of need. It’s important to note that trust is not something that can be taken for granted. It must be earned over time, through consistent and honest communication.
Trust is also an important component of self-esteem. When we trust ourselves and our decisions, we are more likely to take risks and pursue our dreams. Trusting ourselves also allows us to be more open and more confident with those around us and in return, we gain others’ confidence in us.
Remain honest
Always tell the truth, no matter what it may cost you. When your friend commits a mistake, be bold and yet gentle to rebuke or confront them. Let your friend know that you do not hate the person, instead hate the deed they did. Your friend will trust you more, because you are not afraid to tell the truth and are a trustworthy person.
Keep a secret for you friend
While developing trust in friendship, it is important that you keep your friends secrets and not share it with others. If something has been told and shared only with you, as a true friend, you should not lose the trust that is hard to regain later. Instead, by keeping your friend’s secret, you are keeping your promise and you allow them to trust and share things with you.
Be true to your word and follow through with your actions
The point of building trust is for others to believe what you say. Keep in mind, however, that building trust requires not only keeping the promises you make but also not making promises you’re unable to keep.
Keeping your word shows others what you expect from them, and in turn, they’ll be more likely to treat you with respect, developing further trust in the process.
Learn how to communicate effectively with others
Poor communication is a major reason why relationships break down. Good communication includes being clear about what you have or have not committed to and what has been agreed upon.
Building trust is not without risk. It involves allowing both you and others taking risks to prove trustworthiness. To navigate this, effective communication is key. Without it, you may find the messages you’ve intended to send aren’t the messages that are received.
Remind yourself that trust takes time
Sometimes we try to hurry relationships along by sharing too much, too soon. Balanced conversations and gradual self-disclosure build trust in relationships. Think of it as a project you’re working on with your new friend. But instead of building a house, you’re building a friendship.
Before sharing your most significant traumas, share small things with new friends. See how they react. If you feel heard and understood, slowly increase the stakes and disclose more sensitive information.
Give your friends space to share their own life with you. Try to give them feedback that you accept them how they are. Let them know that you value their presence in your life.
