We live in a world of risk, uncertainty, and constant decision-making. One of the most delicate areas we navigate is trust—trust in partners, clients, employees, and sometimes even ourselves. But there’s a lesson I’ve learned along my entrepreneurial journey that shifted everything for me: Trusting people doesn’t mean expecting perfection. It means trusting them to be exactly who they are. In this frustrating world, you should have a path to thriving, not just surviving.
Someone once told me, “You just can’t trust people,” and my response was, “No, you can trust people—you can trust them to be people.” Even someone who isn’t trustworthy is predictable. You can trust that they’ll behave as they’ve always done, and that’s where the power lies.
Adjusting Expectations to Thrive
In business, we often feel betrayed when people don’t deliver on their promises or let us down. But if you’re expecting the wrong things from the wrong people, that’s on you. As harsh as that sounds, once you accept this truth, you free yourself from unnecessary frustration.
Look around your business network. You’ve probably encountered people who consistently underdeliver or overpromise. Maybe a client bails out last minute, or a team member always misses deadlines. Instead of fighting it, you can make a choice—trust them to be who they are.
This doesn’t mean giving up on people or being cynical. It’s about aligning your expectations with reality, and that’s a game changer for your business. You don’t need everyone to be perfect, but minimum surprises. When you can predict behavior, you can plan around it. You can set boundaries, allocate resources, and keep your focus on what matters. You should live a life that is not just about surviving, but also about thriving.
Thriving with Realistic Trust
How do you apply this mindset in your entrepreneurial world? Here’s how I’ve done it, and I encourage you to do the same.
1. Identify Patterns, Not Promises
In business, promises are great, but patterns are everything. A supplier says they’ll meet a tight deadline, but do they have a track record of following through? If they don’t, trust them to continue their pattern, and plan for that. You’ll eliminate the guesswork and stress by preparing for what’s likely to happen.
2. Set Clear Boundaries
Entrepreneurs often feel like they have to juggle it all, but you can’t build a business on shaky ground. If someone has shown you they’re unreliable, don’t keep expecting them to change overnight. Instead, create systems and boundaries that protect your time, energy, and resources. Set your business up in a way that doesn’t rely on someone becoming who they aren’t.
3. Trust People to Be Who They Are, Not Who You Want Them to Be
This one took me time to internalize, but once I did, it transformed the way I work with others. If you’ve been disappointed by someone, ask yourself: Was I expecting them to act out of character? Instead of feeling let down, trust that they’ll continue being themselves. If someone’s nature is to cut corners, trust that they’ll do it again. Adjust your role and strategy to protect your business from those predictable actions.
4. Empower Your Team with Clarity
When you trust people to be themselves, you also open up opportunities for growth. Someone who struggles with time management? Instead of writing them off, give them the tools and systems they need to succeed. By trusting who they are and not forcing them into an idealized version of themselves, you create an environment where you are thriving not just surviving.
5. Focus on What You Can Control
You can’t control other people, but you can control how you react to them. By accepting that people will act according to their own patterns, you gain control over how you approach your business relationships. This mindset shift takes you from reactive to proactive, and that’s where entrepreneurs thrive.
Your Next Move: Align Your Trust with Reality
As an entrepreneur, your time and energy are your most valuable assets. You can’t afford to spend them on expecting things from people they aren’t capable of giving. Realign your trust, focus on patterns, and make adjustments to minimize surprises.
Think of one person in your business network who’s been a source of frustration. Take an honest look at their patterns. Are you expecting them to be someone they’re not? Adjust your approach, set clearer boundaries, and trust them to be exactly who they’ve shown you they are.
Trust me, when you make this shift, your business—and your peace of mind—will transform.