When you started your business, you and your partner thought you’d done everything right.

You shared a common vision and purpose. You were both determined to make the business a success. You even hired a business attorney to prepare a partnership agreement.

But now your relationship is on the rocks. Things have happened that have left you wondering whether you can still trust your partner.

As we all know, trust is an essential ingredient in any relationship – including your business relationship.

But when someone says, “I don’t trust you,” what does that really mean? When trust has been lost, it’s not always easy to figure out what happened and why.

What if there was a way to identify specifically where trust has broken down?

Researcher and best-selling author Brene Brown in her free e-class “The Anatomy of Trust,“ has broken down trust into seven elements that make it easier to identify and talk about trust. When you’re able to talk about trust more specifically, it becomes much easier to resolve conflicts and find a way to move forward.

Here are Brown’s “7 Elements of Trust” that form the acronym BRAVING. As you review them, remind yourself that trust is built, maintained, and lost through small actions.

Boundaries: You respect my boundaries, and when you’re not clear about what’s okay and not okay, you ask. And you’re willing to say no.

Reliability: You (consistently) do what you say you’ll do. At work, this means staying aware of your competencies and your limitations so you don’t overpromise and are able to deliver on commitments and balance competing priorities.

Accountability: You own your mistakes, apologize and make amends. 

Vault: You don’t share information or experiences that are not yours to share. You keep the confidences of others who have confided in you.

Integrity: You choose courage over comfort. You choose what is right over what is fun, fast or easy. And you choose to practice your values rather than simply professing them.

Non-judgment: You can ask for what you need and I can ask for what I need. We can talk about how we feel without judgment.

Generosity: You extend the most generous interpretation possible to the intentions, words, and actions of others.

If you feel like the trust between you and your business partner (or anyone in your life) is dwindling, identify which element(s) may be involved, take the lead and have a BRAVING conversation.

If you need some help navigating the process, I’d be glad to help.  Contact me for a complimentary strategy session at gayl@total-life-leadership.com