{"id":2767,"date":"2015-05-19T11:25:39","date_gmt":"2015-05-19T15:25:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.trustacrossamerica.com\/blog\/?p=2767"},"modified":"2015-05-19T17:35:56","modified_gmt":"2015-05-19T21:35:56","slug":"trust-reciprocity-favors-greed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trustacrossamerica.com\/blog\/?p=2767","title":{"rendered":"Trust, Reciprocity, Favors & Greed"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"TAA_R2_EDIT-CS3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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There is no doubt a link exists<\/a> between generosity and trust.\u00a0One of the great testaments to this can be found in a video <\/a>produced by\u00a0a surgeon named Mario Alonso Puig. But many people\u00a0forget that building trust not only requires reciprocity but also a healthy balance between favors and greed.<\/p>\n

In my current work, many of my professional contacts are very generous with their time, as am I. In fact, over the years\u00a0(trust takes time and is built in incremental steps) we have built\u00a0reciprocal relationships that are win\/win for everyone in this growing circle, and often without the words “trust-building” ever being mentioned.<\/p>\n

But as Trust Across America-Trust Around the World’s audience and network has grown, we have fallen victim to what I call the “favor phenomenon”,\u00a0those\u00a0“simple requests”\u00a0usually (but not always) from virtual strangers that flood our\u00a0daily inbox:<\/p>\n

1. Will you endorse my book?<\/p>\n

2. Can I be a guest on your radio show?<\/p>\n

3. Can you make an introduction to __________?<\/p>\n

4. Can you help me raise money?<\/p>\n

5. Can you get me a speaking engagement?<\/p>\n

6. Will you\u00a0come to my conference and pay to do so?<\/p>\n

7. Will you donate to my charity?<\/p>\n

8. Will you follow me on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn?<\/p>\n

Can you, will you, can you, will you? One pattern\u00a0I’ve noticed is these folks, more often than not, have never engaged with us in the past, and may be the\u00a0same people who claim to be “very busy.” So busy, in fact, that they have no time to build relationships.<\/p>\n

Imagine how much faster\u00a0trust might be built if these “favor askers” lead with trust!<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. I’ve read your book and just wrote an endorsement for you on Amazon.<\/p>\n

2. I know of a media opportunity that I believe would be a perfect fit for you.<\/p>\n

3. I would like to introduce you to _____________.<\/p>\n

4. I want to donate to your cause.<\/p>\n

5. I think you would be the perfect speaker at this event.<\/p>\n

6. Please be my guest at my conference.<\/p>\n

7. I’d like to make a donation to your favorite charity.<\/p>\n

8. I follow you on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and have spent time familiarizing myself with\u00a0the work you do. Here’s an example of your work\u00a0that resonates with me.<\/p>\n

And by the way, would you mind doing a small favor for me?<\/p>\n

So why doesn’t this happen more often? Because most people, in their all-consuming quest to “get” something that provides a short-term benefit ONLY to themselves, also forget (or never learned) that:<\/p>\n