According to author Stephen M.R. Covey, credibility is the foundation for creating trust in any personal or professional relationship. And credibility, according to Covey, boils down to two simple questions:

#1: Can we trust ourselves?  

#2: Can others trust us, too? 

When we have credibility, says Covey, we have what we need for creating relationships that are built on a foundation of trust. Here are Covey's 4 Cores of Credibility, which the author says are essential for earning trust in any type of relationship. 

Integrity: Integrity is about demonstrating consistency between our words and our actions. When people see that we are true to our words, they are more likely to trust us. 

Intent: Intent is about demonstrating care and concern for others. When people feel that we have their best interests at heart, they are more inclined to trust us. 

Capabilities: When we consistently demonstrate our competence, we instill confidence. We show others that we are reliable and capable of meeting our commitments. 

Results: Delivering on our promises and consistently achieving positive outcomes shows that we are dependable. Results are the tangible proof that we are trustworthy. 

Covey's 4 Cores of Credibility are a reminder that there are no quick and easy ways to earn trust. Earning trust is both a process and a choice, a process and a choice that we must embrace for each new client we meet.