ABCD Trust Model

Trust plays a crucial role in building strong relationships and achieving success in life. Every day, we interact with people, each of whom we trust to varying degrees. Some people we don’t trust at all, so we choose a sarcastic or formal tone, while others we trust so much that we’re willing to do anything for them. Likewise, people either trust us or treat us with suspicion. In this article, we’ll explore the ABCD Trust Model, which describes four behaviors that help establish strong relationships.

About the Model

The model was developed in 2013 by Ken Blanchard, Cynthia Olmstead, and Martha Lawrence, and described in the book “Trust Works!”. After conducting research for about six years, they concluded that four key characteristics are needed to build trust:

• Able (Competence)
• Believable (Credibility)
• Connected (Relationship Skills)
• Dependable (Reliability)

If you develop all four of these traits, you’ll be able to build strong relationships with others and learn how to inspire and motivate them.

The Importance of Trust

If you have dozens of people around you who trust you, it means you have an excellent reputation. Both trust and reputation can help you in life, but they are fragile and can be damaged at any moment.

From an evolutionary perspective, trust is one of the main mechanisms for survival. Our chances of survival in ancient times increased if we formed groups. This allowed us to fend off enemies and wild animals, work together, and search for food. When people trust each other, their effectiveness and chances of survival increase dramatically. On the other hand, suspicion, accusations, and reproaches lower your chances of survival, even if you remain in the group.

This is why companies create cultures based on trust. Their employees are more productive, achieve both personal and organizational goals, and are highly motivated. They are satisfied with their work and experience much less stress than people in companies without such a culture.

ABCD: The Four Elements of Trust

A — Able (Competence)

When you’re good at something, you demonstrate your competence to others. Your professional level doesn’t drop, you use your knowledge and intuition to solve problems, help others, and always perform at your best.

To earn the trust of your colleagues, you need to achieve ambitious goals while remaining humble. Be a team player—this means putting the team’s ambitions above your own.

Constantly improve your skills and stay up to date in your industry. Acquire new knowledge and reflect on your profession.

Competence alone isn’t enough—you need to help others and give them useful advice. If you’re a professional who doesn’t help others, people may see you as arrogant and become envious, which is not an environment where trust can thrive.

B — Believable (Credibility)

People who are credible are strong individuals. They are always ready to recognize and apologize for their mistakes, don’t spread rumors, and don’t criticize others behind their backs.

To strengthen your credibility, always be honest with your friends, acquaintances, and colleagues. Even the most innocent lie can undermine trust in you.

It’s very important to keep your word. Remember, people remember everything, even the smallest promises, and when someone doesn’t keep them, their reputation and trustworthiness suffer. Also, don’t share information that was told to you in confidence. Being able to keep secrets is also crucial for building trust.

C — Connected (Relationship Skills)

People who value others and communicate respectfully have the following advantages and skills:

• They know how to build strong, trusting relationships.
• They are empathetic.
• They are good listeners.
• They are genuinely interested in people.
• They help others.

It’s also extremely important to recognize the achievements of others. If you see someone reach a small goal, acknowledge it and give them the credit they deserve.

D — Dependable (Reliability)

Being dependable means keeping your word and making sure your actions match your promises. Such people are organized, responsible, and persistent. It also means being punctual—if you’re always late, you can’t be considered reliable by default.

Being reliable means making time for others. Even if you’re very busy, sometimes a simple word or message can make someone’s day and remind them of you. Remember, reliability takes time to build, but it earns respect and admiration from those around you.

These four elements can improve your relationships with almost anyone.