Page 167 - Fearless Leadership

154 FEARLESS LEADERSHIP

EXHIBIT 6-1: The Circle of Trust

times, you are moving in and out of others’ circles of trust, as they are with
you. The problem is that the circle of trust is an implied construct that is
not discussed or examined. When people suddenly find themselves not
trusted, they have no idea what happened or how to regain the trust that
has been lost.
Let’s start by understanding the automatic nature of the circles of trust:
the inner circle, the conditional circle, and the outer circle.

Inner circle of trust. We place people in our inner circle whom
we trust unconditionally to do the right thing. This emotionally
based trust does not mean that we view these people as perfect,
just that we trust their intention even when they make mistakes
and are imperfect. The truth is that you are far more forgiving of
people in your inner circle, whether wise or not, because you have