Trust is at the heart of all strong relationships. It allows us to feel safe and secure with one another. Hence, it’s crucial that we know what the key components are so we can actively develop, promote, and honour trust. Some tips to help you here include the following:

1. Be Reliable. Even small things – like canceling an arrangement or failing to follow through on a commitment you have made – will undermine and fracture the relationship. If this happens on a regular basis the whole foundation will crumble and fall.

2. Related to this, always strive to keep the promises you’ve made. Trust requires that people believe you are a person who’s dependable and reliable. If you have to break a promise, then be decent enough to explain face-to-face why you have to let them down.

3. Tell the truth. It’s easy to resort to telling a white lie to protect another person, or to cover your back. But if you tell the truth even when it isn’t pleasant, you will become a person who is known for being trustworthy.

4. Volunteer information. When you have the chance to be vague – don’t take it. Instead be open and transparent, and share important details. Volunteering information says you’ve nothing to hide.

5. Don’t share other peoples’ secrets; don’t be someone who’s a gossip allowed – as we only feel we’re safe with a person who’s discreet. Remember: a confidence … is a confidence … is a confidence.

6. Display loyalty, and be there for that person. That shows that you are caring, dependable and safe.