6 Ways to Make Someone Like and Trust You in 60 Seconds or Less

April 15th, 2014

I shared six tips on getting people to like and trust you in under 60 seconds a few years ago and it’s been one of the most popular blog posts on my site. I’ve recently made a video expanding on the six key principles to connecting and establishing trust quickly with six simple steps.

Watch the video below or read the blog to learn “How to Make Someone Like and Trust You in 60 Seconds or Less.”

Written Version of 6 Ways to Make Someone Like and Trust You in 60 Seconds or Less

Establishing trust is a key part of getting relationships off to a great start. Whether you’re interviewing for a new job, meeting a client for the first time or networking it’s important to make a great first impression and really connect.

I’ve researched and practiced ways to connect with people over the years. These tips were especially important when I was returning from maternity leave and met patients for the first time just before I started performing delicate microsurgery on their eyes.

I had to think of a way to connect with these people in the short 1-2 minutes I have to converse with them before we bring them in to do the surgery. “Hi I’m Dr. Anderson and I will be cutting into your eye” probably wouldn’t do it.  How do the best communicators and connectors do it? If we observe people with a real talent for connecting with others we will see that they do similar things in a similar order in the first 60 seconds of meeting another individual. The most successful people are masters at connecting.

A recent study done at Stanford University found that the number one factor in determining the success of students graduating from their MBA program was social connection- an ability to make others trust, respect and like them quickly. I find it so interesting that this ability trumps skill or intellectual prowess.
 

6 Ways to Establish a Connection in 60 Seconds or Less

1)      Eye contact. This is critical to building trust with the individual you are interacting with. A great exercise is to determine what colour the eyes are of anybody that you just meet. In trying to figure this out you cannot help but make the necessary eye contact that will deepen the connection. As an eye surgeon, you would think this comes naturally but I still find this tip really helpful in new encounters.

2)      Attitude is everything. Always approach someone with a positive attitude and smile. The best way to trigger a natural smile is to say the word “great” a couple of times under your breath.

3)      Approach with confidence. Head held high, great posture and a firm handshake. This shows authority and helps people to trust you.

4)      Lead with your heart. Physically and figuratively. Have an open stance so your heart is pointing at the individual. Also speak from the heart and be authentic in everything you say and do.

5)      Lean in to listen to someone and nod attentively. Always make people feel that what they have to offer is important to you.

6)      Mirror body language. This often makes the other person feel more comfortable. For instance if someone puts their hand on their chin, do the same.

By consciously thinking about my approach and being deliberate yet natural and authentic I was able to make a connection with all of my patients so that they could come into surgery feeling comfortable with my ability as a surgeon and comfortable with the surgery. Building trust quickly is very valuable in medicine and business as well as in life.

If you enjoyed these insights please share it with your friends. I’d would love to hear your thoughts and comments below.