You Can’t Earn Someone’s Trust Without This One Thing, According to an FBI Agent

Ollyy/ShutterstockYour mom’s advice was completely wrong. You shouldn’t treat others the way you’d like to be treated; you should actually treat others the way they would like to be treated, instead. It’s called “the platinum rule,” and using it could make people trust you more.

That’s according to Robin Dreeke, at least, a FBI agent who also happens to be a former Marine who graduated from the Naval Academy. He recently co-authored the book The Code of Trust, which gives a step-by-step approach to communicating with others more effectively.

When it comes to making people like and trust you, Dreeke says it’s important to “talk in terms of what’s important to them, in a way they can readily understand, and they’ll be more inclined to give you what you want,” according to Business Insider.

Dreeke even has some advice on how to best implement this rule. From the very first conversation you have with someone, he recommends determining the type of communicator they are. (And while you talk, slip in one of these 11 magic phrases to make anyone trust you.)

While some people like to focus on people-oriented stories and anecdotes, others are more driven by tasks, processes, and procedures. And direct communicators generally think while they speak, whereas indirect communicators think before they speak. People tend to have a combination of two of these traits. Learning the way each person communicates will make your conversations more effective—and even earn you some bonus points in friendship and trust.

Ultimately, whether you want to build trust with co-workers or repair a damaged relationship at home, you’ll be more successful if you speak in a language they’ll understand. (But if you have these subtle habits, though, people might already trust you.)

[Source: Business Insider]