10 surprising habits that make people instantly trust you

Trust is important for all relationships – personal, romantic, and business.

You need to trust a person to have any kind of meaningful relationship with them, and the reverse is also true, they need to trust you.

If you think you’re a trustworthy person but you don’t think you’re getting the message across, you’ve come to the right place!

In this article, we’ll look at 10 surprising habits that make people instantly trust you so that you can alter your behavior accordingly.

Here we go:

1) Eye contact

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – eye contact is super important because it reveals a lot about a person.

When someone is trying to figure out whether they can trust the person they’re talking to, they’re going to look for eye contact, even if they’re not aware of doing it.

That’s because when someone can’t look you in the eye, it usually means that they have something to hide, they’re not being honest, or they’re embarrassed about something.

If someone tells you, “I swear I did it!” but looks anywhere but into your eyes, you can bet your bottom dollar that they’re lying to you.

So, if you want people to instantly trust you – even though you’re meeting them for the first time – you need to show that you’re someone honest and trustworthy by looking them in the eyes when speaking to them.

Now, I get it, if you’re a bit shy and find eye contact intimidating, this can be a bit of a challenge, but you need to work on that, otherwise, you risk people thinking you have something to hide.

2) Active listening

If you want to get people to instantly trust you, then you have to show that you’re really listening to what they have to say.

You see, a lot of the time people nod their heads when someone is speaking, without really bothering to listen. It’s like they’re just going through the motions, waiting for it to be their turn to speak, so they can bring up their own agenda.

Not very nice, is it?

That’s why it’s important to be respectful by actively listening and showing the person that you’re interested in what they have to say and that you value their thoughts and opinions.

It’s not that hard to do, you basically have to pay attention to what the other person is saying, ask questions if something is unclear, show that you understand their point of view, and give them some feedback if you think it would be welcome.

The bottom line is that when people feel heard and understood, they’re more likely to trust.

3) Mirroring body language

Body language is a fascinating subject.

So much can be said without uttering a word, it’s no wonder there are so many books on the subject.

Now, let’s look at mirroring another person’s body language: it basically means adopting similar movements, posture, and gestures.

And why does this make them trust you instantly?

Because when you mirror their body language, you’re essentially telling them that you’re on the same page as them. It makes them feel comfortable to know that the person they’re speaking to is on the same wavelength.

It’s best however that any mirroring be subtle… You see, for most people it comes naturally, they don’t even have to think about it, but if that’s not the case with you, you need to be careful not to overdo it. After all, you don’t want to come across as manipulative or insincere!

4) Being yourself

Don’t try to be someone you’re not just to fit in or impress other people –  you’re no longer in primary school!

You should always be yourself and accept that some people will like you and some won’t. B. If you pretend you’re someone you’re not, chances are that people will be able to tell and that means they won’t trust you.

So, be genuine, be your true, authentic self, and even if someone doesn’t agree with your opinions and values, at least they’ll be able to trust you and respect you for being you!

5) Be on time

Here’s the thing: Whether you’re going for a job interview, a business meeting, a blind date, or you find yourself in a situation where you’re meeting someone for the first time, you’re gonna want to be on time.

It sucks to come on time (or if you’re like me, a few minutes early) and then have to wait for someone who’s taking their sweet time.

We all have that one friend who, no matter what can’t seem to get organized enough to ever be on time, and we’re used to it because we know that’s what they’re like and that it’s not a sign of disrespect, but rather, a reflection of their chaotic sense of time.

But, if you’re meeting someone you hardly know or someone you’ve never met before, you’re going to expect them to come at the agreed time. If they don’t, you’re gonna have a hard time taking them seriously or trusting that they’re gonna do what they say they will when they can’t even show up on time.

All in all, if you want someone to instantly trust you, start by showing up on time.

6) Showing vulnerability

Some people have a hard time opening up to other people and showing their emotions. It’s a defense mechanism. I get it. But they come off as cold and that makes trusting them without knowing them, a bit of a challenge.

Like it or not, the fact remains that people are more likely to trust you if they feel like they can somehow connect with you on a human level.

Try sharing something personal about yourself in conversation, something they can relate to, it will help you build a connection and show that you are trustworthy.

7) Being positive

Look, people are naturally drawn to positive people.

It’s quite simple really: a positive attitude creates a positive and friendly atmosphere that people want to be a part of.

What’s more, when someone is positive, others are more inclined to trust them, it’s just the way things are.

So, how can you be more positive?

By using positive language. That means being more of a “yes” person. It also means being optimistic about the future and trying to make the best out of a bad situation.

But that’s not all. It also means being mindful of your body language, because just like eye contact, our body language says a lot about us.

If you want someone to trust you instantly, you need to show open body language by keeping your arms uncrossed. You also want to lean toward the person slightly and nod your head occasionally to show that you’re engaged in the conversation.

Trust me, positive communication is a sure way to build trust.

8) Having a sense of humor

It may not be the first thing that you think of when you think about “trust” but humor is a great way to help break down barriers and make people feel comfortable around you.

Knowing how to use humor appropriately can help to build a rapport between you and get the person to trust you.

Just be careful not to go overboard. If you make too many jokes or you make jokes at the wrong time or in poor taste, you’ll come off as trying too hard and that is almost certainly going to have the opposite effect.

Remember, you want people to relax around you, not tense up and feel uncomfortable!

9) Showing competence

If you want to make a good first impression and get someone to trust you instantly, you need to show them that you know what you’re doing.

So, don’t be shy, show off a little if you need to because the truth of the matter is that people are more likely to trust someone who is knowledgeable and skilled in their area of expertise, than someone who seems unsure or hesitates.

Let them know that you can get the job done.

10) Showing empathy

Last, but certainly not least, I need to mention empathy.

Empathy is a very human attribute. It means being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and feel what they feel.

Basically, if you have empathy, when someone shares a problem or concern with you, you can imagine experiencing that problem yourself. This will help you understand what they’re going through.

All-in-all, showing empathy is sure to get people to trust you instantly because it will make them feel supported and validated.