Ligia Chacón Hernández on Building Trust: Beyond Visibility to Genuine Connection

In a recent LinkedIn post, Ligia Chacón Hernández explores the fundamental difference between visibility and true trust, drawing a poignant analogy to a child’s need for a safe space. The post challenges conventional wisdom that success metrics like follower counts or titles are the primary drivers of credibility online.

Hernández begins by recounting a powerful realization: a child’s trust isn’t predicated on external achievements. Instead, it hinges entirely on being a “safe place.” This simple yet profound observation serves as the foundation for her argument about online trust.

“A kid doesn’t care how successful you are. I was reminded of that recently.❤️ No followers. No titles. No proof. Just one thing: 👉 You’re his safe place. That’s it.”

This analogy, as Hernández points out, directly translates to the digital realm, where many mistake mere visibility for genuine trust. She argues that the common approach of being “impressive,” “loud,” and “everywhere” often leads to being noticed but not truly trusted.

The Nuance Between Visibility and Trust

Ligia Chacón Hernández contends that the pursuit of online influence often gets sidetracked by the desire for attention. This focus on being seen, she suggests, distracts from the more nuanced and challenging work of building authentic trust. According to Hernández, visibility is a low bar; it’s easy to be seen, but difficult to be trusted.

She elaborates on the nature of true trust, describing it as something that is built in quieter, more authentic interactions. Trust emerges when an individual’s words resonate deeply with an audience, articulating feelings or thoughts that the audience has already held but perhaps struggled to express.

“Real trust? It’s built in the quiet moments. It’s when someone hears you and thinks: ‘Yeah… that’s exactly it.’ It’s when your words sound like their thoughts. When you explain something they’ve felt for years.”

Hernández emphasizes that this form of connection requires a different strategy than merely broadcasting content. It involves a deeper understanding of the audience’s internal landscape and a willingness to speak to that reality.

Strategies for Cultivating Genuine Trust

Moving beyond the critique of superficial visibility, Ligia Chacón Hernández offers actionable advice for individuals seeking to build genuine trust online. Her recommendations center on authenticity, courage, and a focus on singular connection rather than broad appeal.

Key Principles for Trust Building

• Courageous Communication: Hernández advises leaders to “Say what others are afraid to say.” This implies a willingness to address difficult truths or unpopular opinions, provided they are grounded in reality and aimed at genuine insight.
• Authenticity Over Polish: The post stresses the importance of sharing genuine experiences and truths, stating, “Share what really happened — not what sounds good.” This contrasts with curated online personas that may lack substance.
• Repetitive Clarity: To ensure a message is not just heard but recognized and trusted, Hernández suggests, “Repeat your message until people recognise it instantly.” This points to consistency and clarity as crucial elements.
• Focused Connection: Instead of trying to reach everyone, Hernández recommends a more targeted approach: “Speak to one person, not everyone.” This highlights the power of personalized communication and understanding individual needs.
• Humility in Expression: A final piece of advice is to “stop trying to sound smart.” This encourages a more accessible and relatable communication style, prioritizing clarity and connection over intellectual posturing.

Hernández concludes her post with a powerful summary statement that encapsulates her core message: “Because attention might get you seen… But trust is what makes people stay.” This highlights that while visibility can capture initial attention, it is the earned trust that fosters loyalty and long-term relationships.