Seven Signs that You Can Trust Someone

By Yoav Wachsman

Photo by Alexander Suhorucov from Pexels.com

Trust is the glue that holds society together. Without trust, we cannot have meaningful relationships, create business partnerships, leave our children in the care of others, or hire someone to do an important job. We build trust with our family and close friends over time, but how can we trust someone we barely know? Can you trust an installer to fix your roof, your realtor to sell you a property that meets your needs, or a repair person to do a job well? The following seven signs provide indications that you can trust a person or a business, even if you do not know them well. While you may not find someone who exhibits all seven signs, the more of these signs you notice, the more likely it is that the other person is trustworthy.

1. They Have Good Reviews and References

This tip is probably the most obvious sign of the seven. Most of us look at online reviews before going to a restaurant or hiring someone to fix a leak. You can find reviews for most businesses on Google or Yelp. It is important to note, however, that not all reviews are created equal. Business owners often write reviews about themselves and ask their friends and employees to write them, so do not assume that all the reviews are valid.

Look for reviews that provide specific details and a balanced perspective — they are usually more credible. A review that indicates that a plumber is great but does not specify why is not as valuable as a review that explains how this plumber did a good job but was late for his appointment. Try to look at the most recent reviews since businesses can change. New companies often get bad reviews at the beginning and use them to improve. Businesses with great reviews can backtrack, especially if they have a change in management. Having many reviews is a good sign since it indicates that the company has been around longer, and people want to write about it.

Personal references are usually better than reviews written by strangers, especially if they come from someone you trust. If someone gives you a reference on a business, consider asking some follow-up questions.

2. They Exhibit Professionalism

Reviews are not always available or reliable. Another important sign that you can trust an individual or a business is their professionalism. Someone who exhibits the Ps of professionalism is likely to be trustworthy. Look for someone prompt, punctual, presentable, polite, and prepared. When you call their office, do they answer the phone right away? If you leave a message, do they contact you promptly? Do they show up to appointments on time? Are they presentable, which means that they wear proper clothes? Are they polite? Do they greet you, tell you their names, and make eye contact? Do they seem prepared? Do they bring the tools to get the job done? Do they have the right information about the job?

If you answer no to any of these questions, it should set a little alarm in your mind. Too many alarms probably mean that this individual or business is not trustworthy, and you should probably look for someone else.

3. They Listen to You

Individuals or businesses that are just interested in making a sale rarely care about your perspective. They often have a script that they follow and are trying to manipulate you rather than understand you. On the other hand, people who have your best interest in mind are likely to ask you questions and listen to you. A financial advisor needs to understand your goals, resources, and liabilities before advising you on managing your money. A realtor should understand your needs and budget before they start showing you homes.

Look for someone who tries to understand your needs before offering you a product. If someone asks you questions, attentively listens to what you say, and asks follow-up questions instead of immediately offering a solution, they probably genuinely care about you. Be wary of people who seem to have a response to every objection or concern that you have. If someone tries to manipulate you into buying a product, using guilt, anger, or other emotions, you would be wise to walk away.

4. They Give You a Balanced Opinion

A trusted person will give you a balanced opinion about a product and will offer you alternatives. If you are working with a realtor and they only tell you are good things about every house you visit, they may not have your best interest in mind. On the other hand, if a realtor points to both the benefits and the flaws of a house, they are still interested in selling you a home but are also interested in making sure that you are satisfied with the purchase.

It makes sense for a physician, for instance, to recommend a treatment. However, you need to know if there are any alternative treatments are and the advantages and drawbacks of each treatment. There are typically alternatives for every good or service. A trustworthy person will discuss them with you instead of trying to push for one solution.

5. They Don’t Use Pressure Tactics

Many salespersons and businesses use pressure tactics to push customers to make a hasty decision that they may regret later. Pressure tactics include offering a limited-time price, an award if you sign up immediately, or a deadline to make your decision. A salesperson may also try to manipulate your emotions by using guilt, frustration, fear, flattery, pity, or even anger to push you to make a decision that you are not ready to make. They may convey frustration about how long it takes you to make a decision. Alternatively, they might try to make you feel guilty about taking their time. They may even tell you how much they need the commission to support their family.

Regardless of what emotion or scheme someone uses to manipulate your decision, do not fall for it. If someone offers you a once-in-a-lifetime deal or uses emotional leverage, you should not work with them. If a business is offering a great deal now that you must decide right away, they are likely to make it again in the future. Do not feel rushed to purchase a product or sign a contract. Buy things when you feel uncomfortable doing so.

6. They Provide a Guarantee

Good businesses are proud of their products and believe in them. That is why they are often willing to guarantee your satisfaction and allow you to return products. A guarantee or a warranty shows that the business has trust in their products and is likely trustworthy. It is costly for a company to make guarantees unless they have a good product and work to make things right.

A good business is also more likely to offer you a free estimate and even show you how to do something yourself. A while back, I was trying to install a ceiling fan on my porch. The project was more challenging than I expected, and none of the How-to videos on YouTube had the same setup as the fixture that I had. I hired a repairperson to do the work as well as a handful of other projects. However, instead of charging me for the job, he showed me how to do it. A couple of years later, I hired him to replace my floors, a far more lucrative project for him. Good businesses try to develop long-term relationships with their clients, even if it means losing a bit of money in the short run.

7. They Trust You

The way we view other people is usually a reflection of our character. Trustworthy people tend to trust others. If the person or business shows trust in you, they are probably worth trusting. For example, if someone does not require you to pay before providing you a service, they show trust in you. By contrast, someone who demands payment before starting a project, demands that you sign a contract on the spot demonstrates a lack of trust. They probably do not trust you since they might be dishonest under the same circumstances. An untrusting person is a red flag.