Trust, Trustworthiness, and the Trust Equation

Posted by Tracy Bannon on Tuesday, June 13, 2023

It’s odd and simultaneously cool to go back and reference your own book. As a software architect and engineer, being part of a compendium like π—₯π—²π—Άπ—»π˜ƒπ—²π—»π˜π—Άπ—»π—΄ π—–π˜†π—―π—²π—Ώπ—¦π—²π—°π˜‚π—Ώπ—Άπ˜π˜† gave me the opportunity to insert DevSecOps principles and align modern software practices. Perhaps more importantly, was being able to overlay with the most important aspect: the humans and how to build trust.

Trust is not something you just ask for or earn. Rather you need to exude trustworthiness and others examine that and decide for themselves if they can or will extend trust. Charles Green published a “trust equation” that I have adopted for years and can say it is wonderfully helpful.

The equation 𝗧 = ( 𝗖 + π—₯ + π—œ) / 𝗦

Here are the π—–π—Όπ—Ίπ—½π—Όπ—»π—²π—»π˜π˜€ 𝗼𝗳 π—§π—Ώπ˜‚π˜€π˜π˜„π—Όπ—Ώπ˜π—΅π—Άπ—»π—²π˜€π˜€

-𝗖redibility has to do with words and ideas and how someone expresses and shares.

-π—₯eliability are deeds and actions and while it is action oriented, it does include an emotional element. Does the person understand my unique context?

-π—œntimacy has to do with a sense of personal and psychological safety; Do you believe that confidences are kept?

-𝗦elf-orientation deals with how much someone is self-absorbed OR are externally altruistic and empathetic?

Think about those you truly trust and those who truly trust you… apply the equation as a learning exercise.

#SomethingToNoodleOn

Here is a link to my chapter for you as well… enjoy the experience stories and practical guidance: “Tearing Down and Retraining Muscle Memory”)

#DevSecOps #CyberSecurity #SoftwareArchitecture #HumansFirst