Aren’t people strange animals. I am constantly surprised by people’s behaviour. It has just happened to me again. I am sat outside a Starbucks in Sarasota in Florida, enjoying a coffee, some sunshine and writing some stuff for the blog. A guy walks up to me and says “will you look after my bike for a moment, whilst I go in a get a coffee”? Here is the bike….nice huh?
“Of course” I replied.
Why me I wonder? Why not the young girls chatting on the next table to me?
This happened a few weeks ago in London, in another Starbucks as it happens! Maybe that is the connection? J. The guy sitting next to me asked me to look after his bag, PC and Mobile (cell) all displayed opening on his table, whilst he visited the rest room. Again I performed my duties to the best of my ability.
What is it that make people look at me (or others) and say I can trust this person? What is it that people are assessing when they make that decision? If I was 21 with a hoodie on and scruffy jeans would they make the same decision? I guess not. It is fascinating to understand how people make a decision. If you haven’t read Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell I strongly suggest you do. It’s a great book. He talks about how people make a decision about things in a blink of an eye. For example when someone is looking at a piece of art how can they tell if this is a fake or an original? What are the signals?
What is the learning here. Do you select people who naturally give off signals of being a trustworthy? What are these signals? What should we assess during a recruitment process. I don’t have the answers but would like to hear from someone that does.
By COLIN SHAW | Published: NOVEMBER 9, 2008