Building trust.

Consistency and follow-through are most important when building relationships with vulnerable people.

The best intentions can ruin relationships. When you set an expectation with a group of people in your community, you better stick to it, or at least be transparent and open about changes.

I’ve seen this happen so many times. Someone is told they will be paid $50 cash for participating in something and then you hand them a gift card to a store they don’t shop at and they can’t get to on the bus. Or you begin a program with one promise of how things will be run, but you decide the process isn’t working for you or your staff so you change it and let your group know after you’ve implemented the change.

Not cool. Don’t do this. People who have been historically disenfranchised and let down are expecting you to do this. And when you do, they will likely ghost you.

It is YOUR job as the most resourced person or organization in the room to make most of the accommodation and change. Don’t expect someone with limited time and resources to adapt to your every shift and need.

Be consistent. Follow through with your promises. Advocate for their needs and you will build trust. Say what you are going to do and do it. If you need to change plans, treat them as partners. Be honest and problem-solve together. Don’t do it without them.

This takes practice. You should be asking yourself if each action is true to what you promised.

We can help you build these practices into your daily work so it becomes a part of who you are as an organization.

KEEP YOUR PROMISES.