The trust equation consists of four factors, each contributing to the overall level of trust.
The equation is as follows:
Trust = (Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy) / Self-Orientation
The Four Components:
Credibility: This is about whether others believe in what you say and if they trust your expertise. Credibility is linked to your professional competence and your ability to communicate clearly and truthfully.
Reliability: This refers to whether others can trust you to do what you say you will do. Reliability is about consistency and predictability in your behaviour.
Intimacy: This refers to how safe others feel sharing information with you. Intimacy is tied to your ability to create a secure and trusting relationship where sensitive topics can be discussed openly.
Self-Orientation: This indicates the degree to which others perceive you as focused on their interests rather than your own.
High self-orientation reduces trust, while low self-orientation increases trust, since it shows that you prioritize others’ needs and interests.
Source:
“The Trusted Advisor”, 2000, Charles H. Green, David H. Maister & Robert M. Galford