In a recent LinkedIn post, Ligia Chacón Hernández explores a fundamental aspect of online interaction: the true nature of trust. Challenging conventional wisdom that equates visibility with credibility, Hernández uses a poignant anecdote about a child’s perspective to illustrate her core argument that genuine trust is built on quiet authenticity, not on impressive displays or constant self-promotion.
Hernández begins by highlighting a simple yet profound truth: a child’s trust isn’t earned through professional accolades or follower counts. It’s built on being a “safe place.” This personal reflection serves as a springboard into her broader critique of how many professionals approach building trust in the digital age.
“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.”
The Misconception of Online Trust
Ligia Chacón Hernández argues that a common misconception among professionals is that trust is a byproduct of being impressive, loud, or omnipresent online. She contends that this approach often leads to mere visibility rather than true trust. As she puts it:
“Most people completely misunderstand trust online. They think it comes from being impressive. Being loud. Being everywhere. But it doesn’t. Most people aren’t trusted. They’re just visible.”
This distinction, according to Hernández, is crucial. Visibility can capture fleeting attention, but it doesn’t foster the deep-seated connection that defines trust. She emphasizes that true trust is cultivated in more subtle, intimate interactions.
Cultivating Genuine Trust
Hernández outlines a path toward building authentic trust, emphasizing authenticity and vulnerability over performance. She suggests that trust is forged in moments of genuine connection, when individuals feel truly understood.
The Power of Resonance
According to Hernández, the moments that build trust are when someone reads or hears your message and experiences a deep sense of recognition. This happens when your words resonate with their own feelings and experiences, articulating thoughts they’ve held but perhaps couldn’t express themselves.
“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.”
This alignment, where your communication mirrors the internal landscape of your audience, is the bedrock of trust. It signifies that you understand them, and they, in turn, feel understood by you.
Actionable Steps for Building Trust
To foster this deeper level of trust, Ligia Chacón Hernández proposes several actionable strategies:
- Speak Truthfully: Share what has actually happened, rather than crafting a narrative that merely sounds good.
- Embrace Vulnerability: Say what others might be afraid to articulate.
- Consistent Authenticity: Repeat your core message until it becomes instantly recognizable, reinforcing its genuine nature.
- Focused Communication: Speak to one person, aiming for a personal connection, rather than broadcasting to a general audience.
- Abandon Sophistry: Stop trying to sound artificially intelligent or overly polished.
Hernández concludes by reiterating the difference between attention and trust. While the former might bring visibility, the latter is what ensures lasting engagement and loyalty. Her insights offer a valuable counterpoint to the often noisy and performative nature of online presence, advocating for a more grounded and authentic approach to building meaningful connections.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Ligia Chacón Hernández on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 21, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →