In this special bonus episode, I offer an apology. I trusted too swiftly and blindly someone who I brought into my company, and am just now seeing more of the ways it has affected you, as a listener or reader.

Moreover, I share what I’ve learned about trusting ourselves and others in relationships. The warning signs of emotional unhealth, both ours and those we’re in relationships with. And I offer a path forward with these lessons I’ve learned and am learning:

1: Trusting people means we could get hurt

2: Don’t let that keep you from hoping in people you can trust

3: We have poorer decision making in trust when we feel weak

4: For female creative entrepreneurs, this can be in technology and finance.

5: We feel especially weak when exhausted; an area has been overwhelming us for awhile

6: We can notice warning signs of lack of trust to protect ourselves including:

• Do your homework, ask for references
• Invite other people you trust to speak up if they see something
• Don’t just accept words, be sure you see fruit and action
• Don’t settle for not understanding, and while you grow in your understanding bring in a third person you know does understand (therapist, family member, team member)
• Set boundaries in scenarios to help you get more clear facts/answers
• Be honest with yourself if you’re being disrespected
• If you’re afraid to speak up, take that as an even clearer sign you need to
• When defensiveness turns mean, take that as the loudest sign

7: Focus on ways TO build trust

• See the fruit. When they say they’ll do something, they do it. There is action, not just words.
• Humility. When they can’t or don’t know how, they say so, ask for help
• Lack of blame. When a ball is dropped or mistake made it’s own or there’s curiosity about how to fix it from happening again
• Respect. They show up, are on time, honor commitments, communicate clearly.

To continue my apology we are offering two things for August:

If you are an entrepreneur, you’ll receive a 4-part series each Monday via email with more BTS stories, lessons and resources that have helped me feel more empowered in Marketing, Finance, Operations, and Leadership.

If you’re not a business owner, you’ll receive my 3 Steps to Simplified Style video series and daily style prompts calendar for September.

Access both at HilaryRushford.com/podvip by electing if you want to hear about Entrepreneurship, Style or Both.

Listening after August 5th? Access the complete entrepreneur series when it’s live at HilaryRushford.com/tech.

Would love to hear your thoughts on today’s special conversation under my most recent post on Instagram @HilaryRushford, whenever you listen, as I read every one.