Building Trust and Influence in the Workplace
A Simple Guide
If you’re an aspiring young professional looking to become a trusted and influential leader, you’ve come to the right place. Everyone starts somewhere, right? If you’re new to a workplace or just unsure how to earn people’s trust, the first step is pretty simple: it’s about being liked.
Think about it—most of us tend to trust people we like. And when we trust someone, we’re much more open to being influenced by them. So, if you want to be an influential leader, getting people to like you is essential.
Unless you’re completely alone, you know what it feels like to be liked. You have friends and loved ones who care about you, but maintaining those friendships takes effort. Fortunately, professional relationships don’t require as much upkeep, and it’s absolutely possible to make most people like you!
"The catch? It won’t happen overnight. But every journey starts with that first step. So, how do you get started on this journey?"
Step 1: Ask for Help
But keep it simple. The key is to make your request something they can easily say “yes” to—something that doesn’t require too much thought or effort. Think of it as a no-brainer situation. They should be able to help you in about 30 seconds and then get on with their day. And don’t forget to say thank you afterwards!
Step 2: Follow Up
Give it a little time between your initial ask and your follow-up. I suggest waiting at least 30 minutes, but no more than a couple of hours. When you reconnect, express your gratitude again. You could even bring a small token of thanks.
A Simple Example
Imagine carrying a couple of drinks when you approach a door and notice someone nearby. You might say, “Hey, would you mind holding the door for a second? I tend to spill my drinks otherwise.” It’s a pretty easy favour to ask, right? After they help, just smile and say, “Thanks!”
Now, after about 1 to 2 hours, you can follow up. Swing by and say, “Hey! I just wanted to thank you for your help with the door earlier. I really appreciated it.” To sweeten the deal, add something like, “I don’t know how you take your coffee, but I brought you this to say thanks.”
You don’t have to linger. Maybe you’ll get invited for a quick chat over coffee, or maybe not. But I can promise you that after these two short interactions, they’ll start to form a positive impression of you—they’ll begin to like you. And just like that, you’re on your way to building trust.
Why This Works
It might seem a bit magical, but really, it’s all about human nature. Most people love to feel helpful, and when someone takes the time to show appreciation—even for a small favour—it makes them feel good about themselves. And when people feel good, they associate those positive feelings with you, who made them feel that way.
A Personal Story
Let me share a quick personal story to illustrate this. A while back, after I’d been working in an office for a few months, I wanted to branch out and connect with more people. One day, while I was focused at my desk, my pen ran out of ink. Instead of going straight to the cupboard for a new one, I noticed someone across the room I hadn’t talked to much yet. I walked over, holding my dead pen, and said, “Hey, I’m sorry to interrupt, but my pen just died, and I’m in a bit of a hurry. Can I borrow yours for a few minutes?” He agreed, and I smiled and thanked him.
Afterwards, 5 minutes later, I returned with two new pens from the stationary cupboard. I handed back his pen with a smile, saying, “Thanks! You’re a lifesaver. Here’s a spare for you.”
That little interaction helped me start a relationship with him, and I could tell he felt good about helping me. This is all it takes to get people to like you:
Be a nice person.
Ask for help.
Make it an easy request.
Show your appreciation.
Practice this a few times a week with different people, and you’ll begin to grow your network and build a great reputation. Start with those around you, and see how it unfolds!