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Trust Circles Influence Communication Types

by JimRaffel on March 16, 2010

The concept of social media circles of trust has caused me to revisit my Three Types of Communication post from last June.

I was dealing with trust issues in my life when I wrote Three Types of Communication. In the previous six months I had made many bad choices inconsistent with my long-term life goals. I felt I could no longer trust my own instincts.

In the eight or so months since I wrote that post I have….

Met new people through social media like Twitter who support and encourage my strengths.

Found it interesting to meet people face-t0-face whom I already felt like I knew through on-line communication.

Realized accurately accessing someone’s trustworthiness face-t0-face goes much quicker when you have known them on-line.

Learned to trust people I meet on-line who have street cred.

Together with my wife began to form circles of trust with many of the people we have had communication with on-line.

For those who fall inside my circles of trust…

I am more comfortable relaying on written communication.

I am more willing to use rich media communications forums even for complex business discussions.

I absolutely love spending time with you face-to-face.

I’d be interested to know if the level of trust you feel with someone influences the communications mediums you are willing to utilize with them?

Tagged as: behavior, circles, circles influence, communication, communication type, equity, ethics, face, human interest, influence, law, meeting people, reputation management, social psychology, sociology, Trust, trust issue, trusts

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  • http://twitter.com/shalinibahl Shalini Bahl, PhD

    This is a really interesting topic. I am always curious about the real people behind the online personas. I typically tend to know after reading a few tweets or Blog posts whether I trust the person. And this is highly correlated with the authenticity with which they communicate.

    And generally, I have found that my assessment of people online has been fairly consistent with who they are in real. I guess social media tools allow us to share so much more than just emails that one can build good relationships online. And when one meets offline it further cements the relationship.

    It works the other way around too, once I meet people offline, I start to look for them online too. Definitely, the online connections can be strengthened with in person contact and vice versa.

    I am not sure if I vary my communication channel based on trust. I like to use multiple channels to get to know people but with respect to clients my decision is based on what channel my clients are most comfortable using and what will get my ideas across to them most clearly.

  • http://JimRaffel.com/ Jim Raffel

    Shalini – Thank you for adding the reverse perspective. I am also finding that I have richer relationships with those I meet off-line and then begin to communicate with on-line.

    I couldn't agree more that I will communicate via the channel that is easiest for my client to use as long as I am set-up on that medium or see long-term benefit in getting set-up. I now have a Skype account for just that reason.

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