Trustworthy
“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain
Success-Minded People are people of honor and therefore are trustworthy. Honor is a term that is not used a lot these days. Some believe that it is as outdated as chivalry and the giving of one’s word. In our modern times they believe that these things are unreasonable to expect and of little use in today’s society. The truth is that in today’s society the qualities of honor, chivalry and our word are needed more than ever. We all look for people who are trustworthy and we can believe in to do the right thing. As author George MacDonald said “Few delights can equal the presence of one whom we trust utterly.”
NO COMPROMISE
The trustworthy person will not lie, steal, deceive or be dishonest in any of their dealings. Circumstances, no matter how grim, will not cause them to compromise or lower their standards. This is not because they cannot bend the rules of honesty but because they will not. Success-Minded People are willing to pay the price for doing what is right because they know that is the only way true success will come. Success-Minded People know that those in leadership see and note those who can be trusted. Albert Einstein said “Anyone who doesn’t take truth seriously in small matters cannot be trusted in large one either.”
YOUR BOND
When a trustworthy person gives their word you know that you can depend on them. They will be on time, have the materials or information promised and will perform the tasks required of them without being asked to. The old saying “My work is my bond” still applies to a trustworthy person. No matter how small or large the matter is, they will keep their word. Trust is a key value for them and therefore they do all that is in their power to keep that trust.
TRUE FRIENDS
The friends of trustworthy Success-Minded People know that they can confide in them and not fear that a confidence will be broken. There is an old saying, “A true friend never breaches the trust of his companion or stabs him in the back. He is trustworthy and reliable. One should therefore always try to be a true and reliable friend.” One of the marks of a true friendship is that you know your friend can be trusted and that your friend can trust you. Trust should never be given lightly but when given it is given fully. Never be so foolish as to think that the one who will tell you the secrets of other (because they can trust you) will not tell your secrets as well.
TRUST SHOWS
Success-Minded People know that trustworthiness will open more doors for them than any connection of education could. In business, the trustworthy person is in constant demand. Andrew Carnegie said “As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do.” Anyone can tell you they are trustworthy but it is the person who doesn’t have to tell you that you can trust. You see it in their behavior, how they interact with others and how they handle responsibility. The one thing a trustworthy person cannot keep to themselves is their trustworthiness.
© 2011 John Patrick Hickey
