Building Trust: Aligning Values, Intentions, and Impact

Trust is not just a word we throw around; it's a fundamental pillar in our personal and professional relationships. Julian Stodd’s Triangle of Trust offers a valuable framework to understand how trust is built—and sometimes broken—through the alignment of our values, intentions, actions, and their ultimate impact.

At the core of this triangle are our values, the principles that guide our decisions and shape our interactions with the world. These values should be the foundation for our intentions, the driving force behind every action we take. In an ideal world, our actions would seamlessly reflect our values, leading to an impact that reinforces trust and strengthens relationships. But we all know that’s easier said than done.

Often, as we transition from intention to action, something gets lost in translation. Our values might be clear in our minds, but the actions we take can sometimes fall short, leading to an impact that doesn’t quite match our intentions. This misalignment can cause confusion, misunderstandings, and even erode the trust we’ve worked so hard to build.

The Triangle of Trust helps us to be mindful of this process. It challenges us to ask ourselves tough questions: Are my actions truly reflecting my core values? Is the impact I’m having on others aligned with my intentions? When the answers are "no," it’s an opportunity for growth and adjustment.

This model is especially relevant in leadership, where the stakes are high, and the consequences of misaligned intentions and impact can ripple across teams, organizations, and communities. It’s not enough to have good intentions; the impact of our actions matters just as much, if not more. A leader who consistently aligns their actions with their values fosters a culture of trust, transparency, and authenticity.

As we navigate our roles as leaders, allies, friends, and family members, let’s use the Triangle of Trust as a guide. By ensuring our actions and impact consistently reflect our values, we build deeper, more meaningful connections. In turn, we create environments where trust thrives, and everyone feels valued and understood.

Trust is not a destination; it’s an ongoing journey. By staying true to our values and being mindful of our impact, we can foster trust in every aspect of our lives—both personally and professionally.