Mind Mint: In trust we trust

When I first started writing speeches for others, I was shocked by how freely clients shared personal information about themselves – and confidential information about their organizations – as we worked together. These people just met me…aren’t they concerned about being so open with a stranger?
 
Over time, I’ve found that my most successful clients are also the most trusting. Their trust pays dividends: the more I learn about who someone is and what makes them tick, the more effective I am in crafting a speech that captures their essence and ideas.
 
I don’t think these clients reserve this trust just for me; I’ve seen the same people bring a remarkable level of openness to their interactions with others. 
 
This experience has motivated me to adopt an attitude of openness and trust at the start of a relationship. Of course, this approach comes with risks. But the rewards of honestly sharing who you are, and how you think, make these risks worth taking. Trust me.