The Circle of Trust
Meet Ruth. Ruth is building a new business as an independent consultant. She’s got a polished online presence, but there’s something missing. Her website outlines her services clearly. Her LinkedIn profile reveals her career history. Ruth has a solid track record. She’s professional and competent.
So what’s wrong? There’s no emotion. I don’t *feel* anything.
I used to be like Ruth. When I started my own business, I put all my energies into communicating my track record and professionalism. Then I realised there was something more compelling I could compete on.
So I began to shine a light on my story. I explained why I started my own business, I talked about my values and the mission I was on. I was very open and honest. It was a real game changer. I began to see deep and meaningful relationships being built through emotional engagement.
Relationships at work, whether getting hired, attracting clients, or leading a team, typically depend on two things. One is our credentials. That we are a safe pair of hands. Two is what makes us human. It’s our secret sauce, the engagement we all need on a deep level. It’s no different to the emotional engagement we need in our personal lives. And we do that by sharing our personal stories. What’s shaped us as human beings. The transformations we’ve been through. The ups and downs.
The Circle of Trust sums it up. On the left-hand side are the hard, factual elements: our ‘creds.’ On the right hand side – telling your story, talking about your mission, demonstrating your empathy and humanness – these are the elements that create emotional engagement with your audience. When you talk about both sides of the circle, you show the world the whole picture.
Whether you’re a leader wanting to engage your team or a jobseeker looking for your next role or an independent consultant like Ruth seeking new clients - this is your opportunity. The elements on the right are what make you unique. Yet so many people neglect to illuminate all this.
The Circle of Trust is at the heart of the Ian Sanders Company. We’re all about helping leaders and entrepreneurs pay attention to the right hand side of the semicircle, showing the outside world their stories and what’s important to them.
