The importance of trust has been a consistent theme with my clients in 2022. Interestingly, “trust” is my chosen contemplative word for 2022. In this quarter’s newsletter I offer some resources on trusting oneself, building trust on a team, and choosing to trust the process and others.
3 Musings on Work + Life
Trusting Oneself
To trust our strengths, talents, abilities, and qualities, we must first begin with self-compassion. I am not advocating indulgence or narcissism, but there is only one of you in this world, and we need your courageous leadership. Sometimes we all feel those nagging imposter moments (I wrote about this in an earlier newsletter). Those are natural, but they don’t define you. So be you, be vulnerable and authentic, and notice the perfection in your imperfections.
For resources on daring leadership, I recommend Brené Brown’s work and for tools for greater self-compassion, I recommend Kirsten Neff’s research. If you are struggling to trust yourself, you may benefit from a mindfulness meditation and/or journaling practice. They certainly help me and many of my clients.
Building Trust
A lot has been written about creating psychological safety on teams during the pandemic and now as we slowly inch out. To create this climate as a leader, we must build trust among our team, and it is built in the small moments, not grandiose gestures, actions, or statements. Brené Brown and her sister, Barrett Guillen, did a great 2-part podcast series on how to build trust on a team. They also created a BRAVING Inventory to help identify the gaps and opportunities for building trust on a team.
Just this week Gallup came out with the following article on why trust is on the decline and strategies to rebuild it. And, if you are looking for a quick, well-respected read, I highly recommend The Thin Book of Trust: An Essential Primer for Building Trust At Work. All these resources will help you get on your way to a more cohesive and connected team.
Choosing to Trust
Fifty percent of my coaching business includes leaders who are sponsored by their organizations, and the other 50% are professionals who are exploring a career transition. Although it appears to be a great job market for seekers according to a low unemployment rate, it is still challenging to find the right fit for each person given their unique talents, values, experience, and interests.
So, it’s critical to trust the process that something is out there for you. It’s challenging, yet we must lean into hope, be present, and know it takes time. However, that doesn’t mean we wait for it to only come to us. We must be intentional about our journey to what is next. I recommend two books, Body of Work and Design your Life. They include stories and exercises that support you in choosing to trust what is next for you.
Gifts
If you find yourself not trusting yourself, I encourage you to join Adriene and Benji for a short 16-minute yoga practice to ramp up your trust in yourself because you are worth it!
To me there is nothing like an “old friend” to help me to choose trust. This poem was given to me by an “old friend.”
Old Friends by Freya Manfred
Old friends are a steady spring rain, or late summer sunshine edging into fall, or frosted leaves along a snowy path-a voice for all seasons saying, I know you.
The older I grow, the more I fear I’ll lose my old friends, as if too many years have scrolled by since the day we sprang forth, seeking each other.
Old friend, I knew you before we met.I saw you at the window of my soul-I heard you in the steady millstone of my heart grinding grain for our daily bread. You are sedimentary, rock-solid cousin earth, where I stand firmly, astonished by your grace and truth.
And gratitude comes to me and says:“Tell me anything and I will listen.Ask me anything, and I will answer you.”
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