Invest In Trust

In 2003, I started my journey in the world of real estate and a couple of years later I was introduced to a mortgage broker. We started working on a few transactions together and as time went by our relationship evolved to a point that today she is one of my most valuable Co-Contributors. This mutually beneficial relationship continues to produce outstanding results for both of us to this date.

Initially, when we met we had a very transactional mindset. Like any other two professionals working on a deal, we were both trying to protect our best interest. Naturally, we were both looking out for the best possible outcome for ourselves. This is very normal and expected in any professional environment. In fact, we are highly protective when we deal with a stranger in any relationship, for that matter.

One day, when we were comparing our payout amounts, I realized that she did not get paid as much as she is supposed to. She deserved to be paid a bigger portion of our profits. I told her that you are getting a lot less than you deserve. She replied: "yes, I know, but we agreed and I am ok with it." I said no, this is not fair. She said: "I have thought many times to tell you, but this was according to what we agreed..."

I told her: "of course agreements are not written on stone, we can change them anytime. In fact if they are not fair we should tear them." We made all adjustments accordingly, going back to the beginning of our relationship. She was happy and I was very happy. When things go where it belongs, the whole universe celebrates.

This one generous gesture led to another and it kept on having a snowballing effect. The relationship evolved to much deeper trust and we both were trying to compete to be fair to each other. We made agreements, investments, and understandings, but when we were doing our numbers, we were both trying to be fair to one another. We were looking out for each other as much as we were looking for our own interest.

We have been blessed and continue to receive the results of this relationship. This is the most profitable relationship that we know of. It has paid both of us very handsomely. In fact, we have received our return in multiple folds. This is the best that could have happened.

This may sound naïve or this may sound a one-off type of a relationship. I can assure you that there are many relationships that are based on mutual respect, trust, and fairness. In fact, I know many of them personally. To be perfectly honest, the people who have enjoyed the results of this type of relationship knows that there is no better option out there. As Shakespeare says: "Corruption wins not more than honesty."

Giving above and beyond might not sound business savvy at the surface, but in reality it is the best possible option on the table. Short-sighted business people might gain quick wins, but generous relationships always come out handful at the end. The return on investing in trust is infinite. It keeps on giving back forever.

The power of a trusted relationship is unbelievable. It can overcome any challenge. It is a glue that keeps the relationship sustainable. More importantly, when two people have a trusted relationship, they are literally one plus one equals eleven or perhaps more. No one can imagine, the amount of value we create by having a mutually trusted relationship.

When we have a trusted relationship, we are highly productive. We concentrate on doing the actual work as the relationship is taken care of. Our resources, focus, and energy is spent on productivity instead of being distracted with handling the relationship. This in itself is a value creation that nothing can replace. It is a priceless contribution to our success.

There is no doubt that as entrepreneurs we go through good, bad, and ugly in business. In our journey, through thick and thin, we need someone who we can share with. We need someone who we can lean on and get support from. We need someone who can guide us in our dark moments. Only a trusted person can do all this for us. We will not share, lean on, or seek guidance from someone who we do not trust. A relationship that is just for transactional purposes will never be relied on.

The most confident of us needs someone to look at our work and give us a green light to go. We need feedback on our creativity. There are times that we need someone to brainstorm with us to help us in our decision making. We need someone to provoke us to solve an issue at hand. We do all of the above with someone who we have a deep relationship and deep relationships come from trusted relationships.

Trust is the foundation of a Co-Contributor relationship. Mutual benefits arise from Co-Contributors trusting each other. Productivity levels are at its peak when relationships are solidified with mutual trust.

Therefore, investing in trust is at the core of a CO-Contributor's mindset. A Co-Contributor doesn't look at a relationship as transactional. Relationships are built overtime by going above and beyond. Simple transactional mindset only looks out for immediate benefit. For a Co-Contributor the benefit is in the relationship itself. The result is in the journey, not necessarily getting the outcome.

Mutually trusted Co-Contributors create mutual results for each other that are unimaginable. Trusted Co-Contributors are highly productive. Once they experience the world of mutually trusted relationships, they never go back. Nothing is comparable to trusted relationships. No amount of return could compare with the return on investing in building trust.