We’ve all experienced it. Trusting someone, only to be disappointed
or worse, shattered. Whether it is betrayal by a friend or colleague for their own
benefit, not honouring a future promised, or having another share information
that wasn’t theirs to share. I assume everyone has had their trust broken at
some point in their career, however, because the majority have experienced it,
it doesn’t make it less significant. It’s not what happens, or the actions taken in that moment
that generates the most harm, it is the aftermath…the ripple effect. I read Brené
Brown’s Dare to Lead at the beginning of the year and she speaks of
trust.
Trust is the stacking and layering of small moments and a
reciprocal vulnerability over time. Trust and vulnerability grow together, and
to betray one is to destroy both (p.34).
I visualise trust as slowly placing building blocks on top of each other. It takes time, as the pieces are purposefully placed. When trust is lost, these blocks are instantly smashed and the ability to show vulnerability is shattered. I believe the effects are long-lasting if one does not
purposefully heal. On Twitter recently, I read how many teachers had been burnt
because of toxic workplaces or people. I spent a great deal of time thinking
about their comments and stories, and how they recovered. A wise person once
said, “Make sure you don’t become bitter”. This resonated because while you may have
been the one hurt or let down, being bitter reflects upon you. People are more likely to judge you, not the person who broke your trust.
I wondered how people restore
their ability to trust and express their vulnerability? Trust is a two-way street, so is it something one can
do on their own? Does a person need to develop their own psychological safety first? If the goal is to restore the ability to trust again, what role can coaching play? Does coaching require vulnerability and trust first, or does trust and vulnerability develop through coaching?
We need to trust to be vulnerable, and we need to be
vulnerable in order to build trust (p. 30).
Still wondering...
@stringer_andrea
Andrea, I struggle with this, as well. Your questions at the end may depend on the person who broke the trust. As with my ex-husband, I tried day in and day out to be vulnerable again and again, and then... I gave up. I was too exhausted to keep showing my vulnerability and then for him to stomp on it. There is one person at my school who I've tried again and again as well, into December, even, then I give up. It usually takes the summer break for me to be vulnerable again with this person. I DO know that if I carry around that frustration, it's a poison for ME, not for that person who broke my trust and made me feel I cannot be vulnerable with them again. Thank you for sharing your own vulnerability in this post - I'll keep reading your posts in case you bring it up again! ;)
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