Each month the reframe topic is created from active conversations with clients or even in my personal life. They spark ideas that I believe leaders and professionals need to hear — going a bit deeper than the surface level things.
This month we’re talking about trust.
The Pattern I Couldn’t Ignore
Over the past month, a common theme kept showing up in conversations with my clients. Different industries. Different challenges. But the same word kept surfacing:
Trust.
“Should I trust what I’m being told?” “Can I trust this process?” “How do I know if I can trust their response?”
It showed up enough that I had to pause. Get curious. Ask why.
And what I realized: Trust isn’t just about believing someone. It’s about whether you trust yourself to make the right call.
Trust: The Foundation That’s Hard to Rebuild
It’s the foundation we all want in our relationships—at work, at home, in leadership.
When its compromised, recovery becomes the focus. Redemption. Forgiveness. The work of gaining it back.
Let’s keep digging.
Forgiveness can be expressed, but repair doesn’t always follow.
Think about that.
If you’ve ever been in a relationship that came to an end—whether at work or in your personal life—you know this truth: “I’m sorry” doesn’t always cut it.
The healing from broken trust isn’t quick. It’s not simple. And sometimes, it doesn’t happen at all.
The words might be said. The apology might be genuine. But the repair? That requires something deeper than words.
Starting Over Stirs Things Up
Starting something new stirs up mixed emotions.
If you like change (like me), there’s excitement. What will become of this? What’s possible here?
Then there’s anxiety. The unknown can be scary.
And until we get to that place where we can build up our confidence—assured that this new chapter is going to be positive—we may remain in limbo.
This is where Pillar 1 (Mindset) becomes important.
Pillar 1: Mindset – Believing in Yourself First
Before you can trust others, you have to trust yourself.
Let’s break it down:
If you’re running on fumes—borderline burnt out—and you try to start something new, the outcome could be less than desirable.
Not because the opportunity is wrong. But because you’re not in the right state of mind to navigate it.
This is where you have to look inward and ask: Do I trust myself right now?
Do I trust myself to:
- Respect my boundaries?
- Communicate them clearly?
- Recognize when I need to pause before saying yes?
If the answer is no, that’s not failure. That’s self-awareness.
Pillar 3: Curiosity – Ask Before You Act
Curiosity is what moves you from reaction to decision.
Ask the important questions:
- Why does this matter to me?
- What’s the upside if I move forward?
- What are the consequences if I don’t?
Curiosity creates space between reaction and decision.
It lets you separate the facts from the story you’re telling yourself.
And it helps you see whether the issue is about them—or about you not trusting yourself to handle what comes next.
When You’re Feeling Vulnerable
If you’re feeling burnt out, vulnerable, or uncertain, clarity and repair may not feel visible right now.
Give yourself grace.
Know that your next move—whatever it is—will be informed by what you know about yourself in this moment.
Sometimes the best decision you can make is: “Not yet.”
Your Gut Knows First
There’s a reason we say “trust your gut.”
Your intuition is processing information your conscious mind hasn’t caught up to yet.
When something feels off, it probably is.
When something feels right, even if you can’t explain why, that’s data too.
The question isn’t whether to trust your gut. It’s whether you’re willing to listen to it.
What Trust Actually Requires
Trust isn’t given once and done. It’s rebuilt through consistent action—not just apologies, but follow-through.
It’s earned through what you do, not what you promise.
Not about never making mistakes—but about what you do when you make them.
The real foundation?
Trust yourself to:
- Set boundaries and honor them
- Ask the hard questions
- Say no when you need to
- Say yes when you’re ready
- Navigate the outcome, whatever it is
Everything else builds from there.
Reflections:
Where are you waiting for someone else to repair trust when the real question is: Do you trust yourself to navigate this situation?
What boundary have you been afraid to set because you don’t trust yourself to hold it? What would change if you did?
When was the last time your gut told you something and you ignored it? What happened—and what does that tell you about trusting your intuition going forward?
Ready to rebuild trust—starting with yourself? [Book a complimentary call] and let’s explore what becomes possible when you trust your own judgment.
Michele Delgado Executive Coach, on a mission