2. Self-disclosure and Trust
Chapter 2
Self-disclosure and Trust
“Trust no one. Not your closest advisors, your spouse, your brother, your God. Trust only yourself, or you will face pain every day of your life.”
~ King Rameses, The Ten Commandments

3. Chapter Objectives
Improve your relationships by sharing your thoughts and feelings.
Learn to trust others, especially when trust has been broken.
Determine the appropriate amount to disclose to others.
Use situational cues to guide self-disclosure and trust.
Share your feelings about and reactions to people and situations, in addition to facts.
Demonstrate that you are worthy of others’ trust.

4. What is Self-disclosure?
Self-disclosure includes these elements:
Feelings as well as facts
Greater breadth and depth over time
A focus on the present rather than the past
Reciprocity
Self-disclosure means making the self known to others, letting others know what you think, feel, and want.

5. What is Self-disclosure? (continued)
Self-disclosure is different from self-description.
The Internet and computer-mediated communication (CMC), a method to meet new people:
Initiate and carry on meaningful conversations
Build long terms relationships
Raises issues about quantity and quality of online self-disclosure
CMC has the potential to be as beneficial as face-to-face (FTF) interactions.
Self-description is the disclosure of nonthreatening information such as age, address, major, or organization for which you work.

6. Benefits of Self-disclosure
Sharing with others about ourselves can bring a sense of psychological relief.
Disclosing to an appropriate person can help us validate our perceptions of reality.
Self-disclosure can help reduce stress and tension.
Self-disclosure improves us physiologically.
Self-disclosure can result in clearer lines of communication with others.
Self-disclosure can lead to strengthened, enhanced relationships.

7. Benefits of Self-disclosure (continued)
Research shows that the more co-workers enjoy working together, the more productive they can be.
Self-disclosure can create a trusting environment that is conducive to promoting long-term relationships.

8. Fears Associated with Self-disclosure
Uncertainty about how the information is going to be received and utilized.
May be judged harshly by others.
Things said in one context might be repeated in an unrelated context.
Disclosed information may be revealed to someone else.
Willingness to share may be perceived as a weakness or shortcoming.

9. Some Guidelines for Self-disclosure
Discuss situations as they happen.
Choose the appropriate time and place.
Choose the appropriate level of disclosure.
Share your current feelings to create an emotional connection with others and invite understanding.

10. The Role of Self-disclosure in Increasing Self-awareness
It is important to be honest with ourselves about our strengths and weaknesses.
Personal and professional relationships can be greatly improved through understanding ourselves in depth and then selecting those aspects of self that are appropriate to share with others.
The more we share of ourselves with others, the more we can develop high-quality relationships.

11. The Johari Window

12. The Johari Window
The open area consists of information about us that both we and others know.
The hidden area comprises information that we know about ourselves but that is hidden from others.
The blind area denotes information that others are aware of but we are not.
The unknown area contains information that neither we nor others know.

13. What is Trust? Five elements of trust: Integrity Competence
Consistency
Loyalty
Openness
Trust is a multifaceted concept that captures one’s faith or belief in the integrity or reliability of another person or thing.

14. Five Elements of Trust

15. Personal Trust Builders
Follow through on promises and commitments made
Do not reveal confidences told to you in private
Avoid participating in unnecessary gossip
Do not make self-flattering or boasting statements about your capabilities
Develop a reputation for loyalty
Be consistent
Be realistic
Develop personal competence
Gain a reputation for honesty and truthfulness
Make sure your actions are consistent with your spoken words

16. Riskiness of Trust
The person who places trust in an individual must rely on that person to treat the information that was given as confidential.
The truster cannot monitor or control the other party.
Individuals may overestimate the influence of internal factors on the behavior of others.

17. The Role of Trust in Organizations
Trust is essential in the work environment.
Trust impacts the effectiveness of internal and external communication.
Trust influences the actions of organizational stakeholders.

18. Impact of Trust Individual impact Organizational impact
Binds leaders and followers
Communication and action must be consistent to build trust
Organizational impact
Corporate scandals have led to distrust in corporate America
Leaders must prove they are trustworthy

19. Organizational Trust Builders
Depth of relationships
Understanding of roles and responsibilities
Frequent, timely, and forthright communication
Member self-esteem and self-awareness
High levels of skill competence
Clarity of shared purpose, direction, and vision
Honoring promises and commitments

20. Ten Managerial Tips for Developing Trust
Practice what you preach
Open lines of communication
Accept disagreements, differences of opinion, and conflict
Keep confidential information confidential
Let others know what you stand for and what you value
Create an open environment
Maintain a high level of integrity and honesty

21. Ten Managerial Tips for Developing Trust (continued)
Know yourself and how others perceive you and your actions
Build credibility with others by being consistent and reliable
Avoid micromanaging

22. A Note of Caution Trust is not a right; it is earned
Trust is person-dependent
Trust is situation-dependent
Trust is earned over time
Trust is fragile
Trust should be valued and fostered in your personal and professional relationships

23. Summary
Self-disclosure and trust are two mutually reinforcing skills that can serve to deepen and improve personal and professional relationships.
There are fears and risks associated with disclosure; however, knowing what, when, and how to disclose can lessen the fears and risks.
By letting others know you, you pave the way for them to develop trust in you.
The mutually reinforcing nature of disclosure and trust forms the basis of healthy personal and professional relationships.