Weekly Journaling Prompt #25.2 – What Does It Mean to Trust?
“Trust is built when someone is vulnerable and not taken advantage of.” — Bob Vanourek
Reflect & Journal
Trust is the quiet architecture of every successful team, partnership, or business.
Without it, collaboration becomes compliance; with it, creativity and courage flourish.
As a leader, team member, or entrepreneur, consider:
Where in your work or life do you feel trust most strongly right now?
How do you know when it’s present — what behaviours, signals, or words show it?
Where might trust need rebuilding or repair?
What’s one action you could take this week to strengthen it?
Write from experience. Notice what emotions surface — trust often sits beside fear, hope, and commitment. Let them all have a voice.
Story: The Rope Bridge
Two colleagues stood on opposite sides of a deep gorge. Between them hung a narrow rope bridge — their shared project. Each hesitated, wondering if the other had tied their end securely.
On the first day, they shouted instructions across the gap. By week two, they began to walk toward the middle, testing each plank, holding the ropes steady for each other. When they finally met at the center, they realized something simple: trust isn’t built by waiting — it’s built by stepping forward.
We build trust not through perfection but through consistent, small acts of reliability and openness. Every kept promise, every honest “I don’t know,” strengthens the rope between us.
Go Deeper: The Trust Map (5 Minutes)
Draw a triangle. Label the corners Consistency, Competence, and Care.
For each corner, rate yourself 1–5 in how you currently show up.
Choose one corner to strengthen this week.
If Consistency → follow through on one small commitment.
If Competence → share knowledge generously.
If Care → listen fully in one conversation without multitasking.
Revisit your map next week and note what shifted.
Closing Reflection
In an age of AI and acceleration, trust is the glue of human collaboration.
Algorithms may predict our preferences, but only we can keep our promises.
Ask yourself:
“Where do I need to step onto the bridge this week?”
Your act of courage might be small — but it’s enough to hold the whole structure.
Attribution
*Written by Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT, CHRL — Founder of Potentials Realized and recognized globally as a pioneer in group and team coaching. Author of From One to Many, Effective Virtual Conversations, Reconnecting Workspaces, and Activate Your Group and Team Coaching Superpowers.
A Human Connection Architect and award-winning coach, Jennifer helps leaders, teams, and solopreneurs thrive in an AI-enabled world by blending conversation, creativity, and experiential design.
“Trust is built when someone is vulnerable and not taken advantage of.” — Bob Vanourek
Reflect & Journal
Trust is the quiet architecture of every successful team, partnership, or business.
Without it, collaboration becomes compliance; with it, creativity and courage flourish.
As a leader, team member, or entrepreneur, consider:
Where in your work or life do you feel trust most strongly right now?
How do you know when it’s present — what behaviours, signals, or words show it?
Where might trust need rebuilding or repair?
What’s one action you could take this week to strengthen it?
Write from experience. Notice what emotions surface — trust often sits beside fear, hope, and commitment. Let them all have a voice.
Story: The Rope Bridge
Two colleagues stood on opposite sides of a deep gorge. Between them hung a narrow rope bridge — their shared project. Each hesitated, wondering if the other had tied their end securely.
On the first day, they shouted instructions across the gap. By week two, they began to walk toward the middle, testing each plank, holding the ropes steady for each other. When they finally met at the center, they realized something simple: trust isn’t built by waiting — it’s built by stepping forward.
We build trust not through perfection but through consistent, small acts of reliability and openness. Every kept promise, every honest “I don’t know,” strengthens the rope between us.
Go Deeper: The Trust Map (5 Minutes)
Draw a triangle. Label the corners Consistency, Competence, and Care.
For each corner, rate yourself 1–5 in how you currently show up.
Choose one corner to strengthen this week.
If Consistency → follow through on one small commitment.
If Competence → share knowledge generously.
If Care → listen fully in one conversation without multitasking.
Revisit your map next week and note what shifted.
Closing Reflection
In an age of AI and acceleration, trust is the glue of human collaboration.
Algorithms may predict our preferences, but only we can keep our promises.
Ask yourself:
“Where do I need to step onto the bridge this week?”
Your act of courage might be small — but it’s enough to hold the whole structure.
Attribution
*Written by Jennifer Britton, MES, PCC, CPT, CHRL — Founder of Potentials Realized and recognized globally as a pioneer in group and team coaching. Author of From One to Many, Effective Virtual Conversations, Reconnecting Workspaces, and Activate Your Group and Team Coaching Superpowers.
A Human Connection Architect and award-winning coach, Jennifer helps leaders, teams, and solopreneurs thrive in an AI-enabled world by blending conversation, creativity, and experiential design.
Jennifer Britton, MES, ACTC – PCC, CHRL, CPT
CEO and Founder - Potentials Realized.com
Creator of the ICF-CCE approved pathway to the ACTC - Group Coaching Essentials.ca
Conversation Sparker Experiential Tools and Consulting
Team Strengths Days Using Gallup Strengths
Contact: 1-416-996-8326
Email: [email protected]
“Design your days. Spark your conversations. Lead with clarity and connection.”
— Jennifer Britton, Potentials Realized | Coaching & Change™ | Flow-Flex-Scale™
CEO and Founder - Potentials Realized.com
Creator of the ICF-CCE approved pathway to the ACTC - Group Coaching Essentials.ca
Conversation Sparker Experiential Tools and Consulting
Team Strengths Days Using Gallup Strengths
Contact: 1-416-996-8326
Email: [email protected]
“Design your days. Spark your conversations. Lead with clarity and connection.”
— Jennifer Britton, Potentials Realized | Coaching & Change™ | Flow-Flex-Scale™
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