Compassion Increases Trust

Cathie Leimbach • July 19, 2022

“People put faith in those who care beyond themselves,” says David Horsager. “And feeling cared for increases trust.”


Imagine a working environment where professional relationships are built on a base of mutual trust and respect. Such workplaces are compassionate, and in turn, happier.


Compassion is a process involving the ability to be aware of, feel, or perceive another human’s pain and to be with them or take action to relieve their suffering.


Meysam Poorkavoos believes there are three main problems that organizations have which impede showing compassion in the workplace.


1.       Their workplace lacks an open culture where employees are comfortable sharing their issues and problems.

2.      Managers aren’t really interested in people. They focus on outcomes without caring about the people who achieve them.

3.      Policies and procedures tend to get in the way so people don’t see when staff need support.


Poorkavoos suggests 7 tips for increasing compassion and trust in the workplace.


1.      Get to know your colleagues better. Ask them about their life.

2.      Offer to help a co-worker when they are struggling with something that you are strong at.

3.      Notice a colleague’s mental well-being and ask how you can help them.

4.      Praise employees in front of others to show appreciation for their good work.

5.      Be a kind, supportive leader or manager by encouraging them and offering flexibility.

6.      Encourage constructive criticism to help colleagues be more effective at work.

7.      Start with self-compassion by giving yourself slack when you have a bad day.


We are all human. We are emotional beings. Let’s help everyone in our workplace feel that they matter as an individual and as an employee. Increase workplace trust and happiness by being compassionate with your colleagues and yourself.

 

Making a Great First Impression: Avoid These 3 Common Mistakes

By Cathie Leimbach • July 15, 2025
According to research by Vanessa Van Edwards, who analyzed thousands of first encounters, your first impression happens before you even speak. People decide if they like, trust, or want to work with you the moment they first see you. Unfortunately, many of us unknowingly sabotage ourselves with what she calls the "triple threat" of first impression mistakes. The 3 Problems That Kill Your First Impression Problem 1: Making Yourself Small - When you tuck your arms close to your body and hunch your shoulders, you signal low confidence. Looking down at your phone while waiting creates the "universal defeat posture" – chin tucked, shoulders hunched, taking up minimal space. In simple terms, you look like a loser. Problem 2: Hiding Your Hands - Keeping your hands in pockets or out of sight creates subconscious distrust. People need to see your hands to feel safe around you. Problem 3: Avoiding Eye Contact - Direct eye contact triggers oxytocin, which builds trust and connection. Skip this in the first few seconds, and you miss a crucial bonding opportunity. How to Fix These Mistakes The solution is straightforward: keep your hands visible and expressive, stand tall with good posture to take up appropriate space, and make deliberate eye contact within the first few seconds of meeting someone. Master these three elements, and you'll create positive first impressions that open doors instead of closing them. For more detailed research findings and background on Van Edwards' extensive studies, check out Why Vanessa Van Edwards' First Impression Studies Matter .

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