[If you missed the introduction to this series, click here. If you missed Power, the first trigger, click here. If you missed Passion, the second trigger, click here. If you missed Mystique, the third trigger, click here. Alarm, the fourth trigger, is found here. Prestige, the fifth trigger, is found here.]
People with the primary trigger of Trust are dependable and consistent even amidst a chaotic environment. They are like a stalwart bedrock.
Staying consistent over time is hard to do, and when it is pulled off correctly, people take notice. For example, Chick-Fil-A has almost a cult following due to it's high Trust factor. People understand and even applaud Chick-Fil-A's commitment to observing the Lord's day and remaining closed on Sunday. You know that if you walk into a Chick-Fil-A anywhere in the country, you're going to get the same high-quality service, offered with a friendly smile.
The same can be said of Starbucks. A peppermint mocha in Florida tastes the exact same as a peppermint mocha in California...all the way across the country. Their product delivery is so constant and standardized that they made a name for themselves, gouging the American public for $4 cups of coffee!
According to Sally Hogshead, there are five defining characteristics of Trust personalities:
1) Stable - there is hardly any fluctuation in how a Trust person conducts themselves. The situation doesn't matter.
2) Dependable - they follow through on what they said they would do, delivering steady results, on time, and executed as planned. They are hard workers to make sure this happens.
3) Familiar - they are "known quantities" and are respected because of their behavior.
4) Predictable - a Trust individual develops patterns and routines they follow religiously. They believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. They will choose the reproducible proven method over a new innovative one any day of the week.
5) Comforting - there is something relieving about being around a Trust personality. Due to extreme reliability, they evoke a feeling of freedom and release from dwelling on the negative in others. One author who came to mind with a high Trust factor is James Patterson. The man produces at least 2-3 books a month, although he is most well-known for his Alex Cross series. When someone picks up a James Patterson novel, he or she knows exactly what they are going to get, and it's delivered with pizazz and electricity, which is exactly what he or she is looking for.
He's predictable with his production of great thrillers, he's definitely a known quantity, as you're more likely to pick up a book by him or Lee Child or John Grisham rather than an unknown. In fact, if you're a true fan, you've already pre-ordered the next book in the series. He's familiar, comforting (though not with his actual subject matter!), and dependable.
Let's Analyze
This one should be the easiest yet. Who else out there can offer up a name of an author you can absolutely hands-down trust to produce consistent results every time you spend your hard-earned money on their newest release?
