ON MY MIND

Trust is the glue of life

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the power of trust in leadership and business. When people truly trust their leaders (and vice versa), amazing things happen. Research shows high-trust workplaces can see a whopping 50% boost in productivity  – employees go above and beyond because they feel valued and safe. One striking example: when Zappos employees felt genuinely trusted, customer satisfaction soared by 400% .

Trust isn’t just a warm-and-fuzzy concept; it’s a tangible driver of results. It lowers turnover, raises engagement, and even improves financial performance .

Yet trust has to be earned and nurtured. It grows from consistency, transparency, and keeping our word. As leaders or professionals, we build trust by doing what we say, communicating openly (even when the news isn’t great), and showing that we have others’ backs. In fact, a survey found that when leaders show vulnerability and authenticity, employees are 5× more likely to trust them .

This matters in every field – including real estate. Historically, the real estate sector in India struggled with trust deficits due to opaque practices. But things are changing: the RERA law (Real Estate Regulatory Act, 2016) brought more transparency and accountability. Developers now must register projects and maintain timelines, which has significantly boosted buyer confidence . By July 2024, RERA had resolved ~125,000 complaints, giving investors a safety net and improving trust .

India even moved up the global real estate transparency index to 31st place (from 36th) . All this reinforces a simple idea: whether we’re leading a team or closing a property sale, trust is our most valuable currency.