How To Know If You Can Trust Someone?

One of the most important traits when evaluating a person in business or in your personal life is whether or not they are honest and can be trusted. Now I would be lying if I said that no one ever lies. White lies happen and according to research, over half of the adult population admit to lying at some point or another. Usually these lies are small but there are genuinely honest people out there. Let's look at the traits these people possess, so you can take better inventory of those around you. 

Calm, Consistent Speech

When someone becomes defensive, they will typically raise their voice in order to establish dominance and counteract being caught in a lie. If you are asking someone a question and their voice begins to raise or they start shouting, psychology says that they are probably lying or being caught in a lie. 

In contrast, an honest person has a calm speaking voice. Even if they are being asked sensitive questions or if they are being accused of something because they know they cannot be caught due to the fact that there is nothing to hide. 

Honest People Can Come Off As Super Rude

Honest people really don't care how you feel or what you think, so they will tell you exactly how they feel about you, what they think, and their opinion, regardless of your reaction or how it makes you feel. Now this doesn't mean that honest people are wandering around trying to hurt your feelings on purpose but if you ask their opinion, they will give it to you. So be careful what you ask for. 

Excel At Friendship

Good friendships are built on trust. Honest people are upfront, candid, and transparent. Honest people are also reliable so they make excellent friends because other people can trust them. Trust is build on honesty. 

Honest friends will be there for you when you need them and if they can't be there for you, they will tell you why. Honest people also will come to you when they have a problem with you versus talking behind your back. 

If someone is gossiping about you behind your back, they are more than likely not a very honest person. 

Strong Beliefs and Standards

Honest people know what they believe in politics, religion, etc. and will be very open in sharing what they believe in. Honest people are not going to take a job just because it pays the bills if they do not believe in the corporate mission. Honest people also will not compromise in romantic relationships if their partner has beliefs that go in direct opposition to their own. 

Ability To Take Criticism

Because honest people tell the truth regardless of people's opinions and feelings, often they are not liked by others. Honest people get used to being criticized both constructively and destructively. Honest people don't let other people's opinions affect their day to day feelings, because they don't have to be. They tell the truth. 

Don't Care About Popularity

Honest people do good because it's what they want to do than what other people think. Honest people aren't running a race against others, they are achieving for themselves. Honest people aren't striving to be the better than other people, they just want to be the best version of themselves. 

Accountability

Honest people are willing to take responsibility for their mistakes and actions when they fail or when they hurt people. Honest people are willing to apologize sincerely and correct the behavior or process that caused the mistake to begin with as best they can. 

Final Thoughts:

The easier path is to be liked, welcomed, and pass the buck onto others. But the easy way does not serve anyone in the long term. Cultivating the qualities of an honest person and surrounding yourself by honest people will help you create a healthier, more authentic life.