Building Trust Through Real Conversations Online

Here's a perfect example of why you let your experts lead the conversation on LinkedIn. Marc Loebekken, Head of Legal at Proton, posted about a new product last week, but look at how he does it... He opens by reframing the problem. Privacy isn't just about keeping strangers out of your photos — it's about protecting your family from systems designed to shape how they think. Then he makes it personal. He and his wife had to have a real conversation about how they share photos of their son. The pull to share, the risks that aren't obvious, the solution they landed on. It's honest and specific in a way that's impossible to replicate. From there, he makes the case for a better way: parents shouldn't have to work that hard just to share a photo safely. And only then does he introduce the solution. A private email address for your child, sealed for 15 years. The product lands as the answer to a problem he just made you feel. That's the structure that builds trust and empathy: Expert → Problem → Personal experience → Better way → Solution A company page can't do this. A logo can't share uncertainty or a conversation from the dinner table. That human texture is exactly what builds trust, and what turns a product announcement into something worth 588 likes and 74 comments (and counting). This is what thought leadership actually looks like. Get your experts in the conversation. Give them room to be real. The rest will follow. Next week in my newsletter, I'm breaking down the exact framework we use to help clients go deeper in every post. Don't miss it: https://lnkd.in/eDP_-QsC

'I trust you.' There's no greater compliment my team and I receive. It's not about how smart we are or how great our work is. It's deeper. It speaks to how we build client relationships. And I remember the first time a client said it. A director at a 27,000-person organization had just received news that they were losing $500M in federal funding. The leadership team looked like death warmed up. They were mentally and emotionally drained, both professionally and personally. We were supporting them with messaging and communication protocols. During one call, I watched their most senior leader about to make a mistake I've seen too often. Highlighting professional wins instead of acknowledging how terrifying this moment was for their teams. The leader (a Stabilizer) wanted to create structure through "business as usual" messaging. But the team needed something different, acknowledgment of their fears, not deflection. I observed the dynamics. The Disruptor pushed for a different approach, the Analyzer listened quietly, the Builder immediately acted on suggestions. I took it all in, promised a response, and sent messaging that honored both the fear and the path forward. When I spoke to the Director again about next steps, I shared my recommendation. He shrugged casually and said, "Do what you feel is best. I trust you." We build that trust from the first moment we connect, in our monthly Executive Conversations, at keynotes, on LinkedIn, during sales calls. We earn it by telling the truth, even when clients may not want to hear it. If there isn't mutual trust during high-stakes change and crisis, we aren't the right fit. But for the clients who trust us to guide them through their hardest moments? That's the work that matters most and where we see the best outcomes. Leaders, how do you build trust with your teams in times of rapid change and crisis?

The 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐄𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 shows that business is now the most trusted institution globally and professionals who share clear, useful knowledge earn far stronger credibility than those who rely on self-promotion. 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲. Over the past few years, I’ve observed one pattern across leadership, communication and content strategy: The people who help others think clearly are the voices people return to. The ones who teach earn more trust than the ones who talk about themselves. The ones who simplify ideas earn more credibility than those trying to sound impressive. And the voices that add clarity, not noise, become the voices that stand out. Here are the practices shaping real authority in 2025: 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐭𝐲 People trust what they understand immediately. Clear thinking builds more credibility than polished language ever will. 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 Stories inform. Frameworks elevate. One practical insight travels farther than a long introduction. 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 “𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐝” 𝐭𝐨 “𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐮𝐬𝐞” Readers return to creators who make their work easier, smarter and more strategic. 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 Trust compounds when people see your ideas helping them, not your achievements promoting you. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 Real authority grows when people participate because the idea matters, not because they were asked to engage. The quiet truth: On LinkedIn today, influence is not built by talking about who you are. It’s built by showing how you think. Insight builds trust. Trust builds credibility. And credibility becomes authority. 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐚. Which content earns more of your trust, personal success stories or clear ideas that strengthen your thinking? LinkedIn News India #Leadership #FutureOfWork #Communication #PersonalBranding #CareerGrowth #LinkedInNews #LinkedInNewsIndia

You don’t build trust by talking more. You build it by asking better questions. (and deeply listening) The right question doesn’t just start a conversation. It sparks connection. Instead of “Do you like running a business?” Ask, “When did you first get the itch to start your own company?” Instead of “Would you like to switch suppliers?” Ask, “Can you tell me about the moment you first realized you needed a change?" A question grounded in intentionality isn’t just about getting an answer. It’s about stopping somebody in their tracks. Or opening the door to a story. This is where authentic relationships begin.

10 phrases to turn small talk into something real. Here's how to connect deeper & build trust: Creating psychologically safety at work starts with everyday conversations. These sentences build the foundation for deep trust and personal connection. Here's how to transform surface talk into meaningful connection 👇🏼 1. "I'd love to hear your perspective on this." ↳ Perfect during tough decisions when every voice matters ↳ Take notes in real time, send a recap with next steps 2. "Thank you for teaching me something new today." ↳ When someone shares something valuable ↳ Try their method in your next task, share results back 3. "What support do you need from me right now?" ↳ When you see someone drowning but aren't sure how to help ↳ Clear your next hour, solve one thing immediately 4. "I respect your expertise on this matter" ↳ During heated moments - acknowledge their experience ↳ Grab your notebook, write down their key points 5. "I made a mistake, and I want to make it right." ↳ The moment you mess up - own it fast, build trust ↳ Name the fix, set a deadline, do it now 6. "I noticed your great work on that project." ↳ Catch them doing something brilliant, say it immediately ↳ Send a quick email to their manager with a specific example 7. "How can I help you succeed?" ↳ In quiet moments when you want to show real care ↳ Set 3 specific support actions, schedule them today 8. "Your contribution made a real difference." ↳ When someone goes above - be specific about why ↳ Share one concrete metric or result right now 9. "I trust your judgment on this." ↳ Empower them, then actually let them run with it ↳ Delete that micromanaging email you drafted 10. "Let's find a solution together." ↳ When problems feel huge - create partnership ↳ Book a room, set a clear agenda, solve one piece Anyone can do small talk. Few can create real trust. You get to choose which you build ✨ Which phrase would you most like to hear from someone? -- ♻️ Repost to help your network build trust and meaningful connections 🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more strategies that build real success - at work and at home

This barber cuts his own hair to show support for his client battling cancer. A true reminder that people should always come before profit. When building your brand, ask yourself: Are you prioritizing people over metrics? It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers, likes, impressions, leads. Of course, they matter! But let’s not forget: real connections, empathy, and support are what build lasting relationships and trust. At the end of the day, it’s about the people behind the numbers. When people hired me to help growing their LinkedIn accounts, I always remind them that the true power of LinkedIn lies in building quality connections, not just chasing numbers. Here are a few ways to build genuine connections for business: 1. Engage authentically – Instead of just liking posts, take the time to comment thoughtfully. Ask questions or offer insights. This shows you’re interested in the person, not just their numbers. 2. Personalize outreach – When sending connection requests, add a personal note. Reference something you found interesting about their profile, and make it clear you’d like to have a meaningful connection, not just a transaction. 3. Share valuable content – Provide content that genuinely helps others or sparks conversation. This helps establish you as a resource, not just a salesperson. 4. Follow up thoughtfully – After making a connection, don’t immediately pitch your services. Start a conversation, and see where it naturally leads. This builds trust over time. 5. Be patient – Building real relationships takes time. Don’t focus solely on quick wins. Invest in people, and the results will follow. When you prioritize people over metrics, you’re not just growing your business—you’re building meaningful relationships that will last for years. Need help growing your LinkedIn page ans generating leads? I want to help 5 people generate leads. Send me a DM with the word, 'Leads'.

Real conversations at work feel rare. Lately, in my work with employees and leaders, I’ve noticed a troubling pattern: real conversations don’t happen. Instead, people get stuck in confrontation, cynicism, or silence. This pattern reminded me of a powerful chart I often use with executives to talk about this. It shows that real conversations—where tough topics are discussed productively—only happen when two things are present: high psychological safety and strong relationships. Too often, teams fall into one of these traps instead: (a) Cynicism (low safety, low relationships)—where skepticism and disengagement take over. (b) Omerta (low safety, high relationships)—where people stay silent to keep the peace. (c) Confrontation (high safety, low relationships)—where people speak up but without trust, so nothing moves forward. There are three practical steps to create real conversations that turn constructive discrepancies into progress: (1) Create a norm of curiosity. Ask, “What am I missing?” instead of assuming you’re right. Curiosity keeps disagreements productive instead of combative. (2) Balance candor with care. Being direct is valuable—but only when paired with genuine respect. People engage when they feel valued, not attacked. (3) Make it safe to challenge ideas. Model the behavior yourself: invite pushback, thank people for disagreeing, and reward those who surface hard truths. When safety is high, people contribute without fear. Where do you see teams getting stuck? What has helped you foster real conversations? #Leadership #PsychologicalSafety #Communication #Trust #Teamwork #Learning #Disagreement

Before coaching begins, trust must walk in first. Some time ago, I met a business owner who was referred to me for coaching. He had the hunger to grow, was stuck at a critical stage, and had tried different advisors before — none of whom stuck. I could sense the hesitation when we first spoke. So instead of pitching my process or flashing my success stories, I said this: “Let’s do this for 3 months. No fee. No commitment. Just coaching. If you see value, we’ll talk further. If not, you walk away.” His eyes softened. Because more than a growth plan or a strategy session, what he needed was assurance — that I’m here for him, not just his business. And honestly? That conversation changed everything. He showed up to every session with energy. He opened up. He executed. And eventually, he asked to extend the coaching — this time, as a full-paying client. That experience reminded me: People don’t commit when they’re convinced. They commit when they feel safe. In coaching — just like in leadership — trust comes before transformation. And that trust isn’t built with words. It’s built with intent, presence, and a willingness to serve before selling. If you’re a coach, consultant, or leader trying to create change — ask yourself: Have I created enough emotional safety for the other person to truly lean in? Because without that, even the best frameworks won’t land. But with it? Even a 30-minute conversation can become the starting point of lifelong growth. #VijayOnLeadership #CoachingWithTrust #BusinessCoachingIndia #ProBonoCoaching #LeadershipGrowth #TrustedAdvisor #EmotionalSafety #CoachingCulture

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵. 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Whenever I speak about AI with business leaders, educators, or parents, one question always comes up: "How do we prepare the next generation for a world that's changing faster than ever?" The answer isn't another app, filter, or AI tool. It's conversation. For children today, there is no clear line between the online world and the real world. AI, gaming, messaging, and social media are simply part of everyday life. If we avoid talking about them, they're left to figure it out on their own. That's why I appreciate campaigns that lead with curiosity instead of fear. Fear may grab attention, but trust changes behavior. When children feel safe asking questions, they're more likely to speak up about uncomfortable experiences, question what they see online, and think critically about AI-generated content. Technology will continue to evolve. The values that help children navigate it won't. ✔️ Keep communication open. ✔️ Encourage curiosity. ✔️ Teach critical thinking. ✔️ Build trust before problems arise. We don't need to have every answer. We just need to make sure our kids know they can always come to us with their questions. What's one technology or AI conversation you believe every parent should have with their child this year? #AI #DigitalSafety #Parenting #Education #AIReadiness #DigitalTrust #FutureOfWork

LNonprofits using Sales Navigator see up to a 30% increase in corporate engagement within the first six months. Here’s how to make it work for you: 1. Stop cold messaging. Start building trust. If your outreach sounds like: “Can you support our cause?” You’re setting yourself up for crickets. Instead, lead with value: “Hey [Name], I noticed your company’s recent CSR initiative on [topic]. We’re working on something similar and thought you’d find our latest insights valuable. Would love your thoughts!” This shows that you’re informed, aligned, and genuinely interested—l, building credibility from the start. 2. Use Sales Navigator to find the right people fast. Forget the guesswork. Here’s what works: • Advanced Search: Find CSR managers and decision-makers who align with your mission. • Lead Lists: Track potential sponsors and organize them by industry or giving priorities. • Custom Alerts: Stay on top of when your target companies post new content. These features don’t just help you connect, they help you engage meaningfully. 3. Build a pipeline, not just a list. Don’t make the mistake of treating contacts as one-off opportunities. Instead: • Use Tags and Notes to track each conversation and plan personalized follow-ups. • Segment leads by industry, donation history, and shared goals. • Make every interaction count: Comment on their successes, share relevant insights, and be genuinely curious. Nonprofits that follow this approach often report 2x the engagement rate compared to cold outreach. 4. Share data to build trust. Corporate decision-makers are data-driven. Use numbers to make your case: • “We increased corporate donations by 40% in 2024 by prioritizing relationship-building over one-time asks.” • “Nonprofits collaborating with companies on community projects see a 20% boost in employee retention.” • “Last year, we impacted over 1,200 families thanks to partnerships like yours.” Data proves your success and positions you as a credible, results-focused partner. 5. Engage consistently, not just when you need funding. Building relationships takes time. Make it part of your routine: • Spend 10 minutes a day engaging with CSR posts. • Share stories that showcase your mission. • Highlight partner contributions publicly, it builds goodwill. The key is to be visible, consistent, and genuine. Over time, this builds familiarity and trust. ⸻ 6. Involve your whole team. Fundraising shouldn’t rest on one person’s shoulders. Train your team to: • Engage thoughtfully on LinkedIn. • Share content that demonstrates impact. • Follow up with potential partners consistently. When everyone participates, your network grows exponentially. Want to master LinkedIn Sales Navigator for nonprofit fundraising? Join our webinar on May 22nd at 12:00 pm EST Register here: https://lu.ma/wx6m3v0b You’ll also get a special discount to our HUB for participating! With purpose and impact, Mario