Trust vs. Rapport: What's the Difference?
By Janet White & Harlon Moss || Updated on May 24, 2024
Trust is the firm belief in the reliability or integrity of someone or something, whereas rapport is a harmonious relationship characterized by mutual understanding and respect.
Key Differences
Trust is a foundational element in relationships, signifying a deep belief in someone's honesty, reliability, and integrity. It develops over time through consistent behavior and actions that align with one’s words. Rapport, on the other hand, refers to a positive, harmonious relationship where individuals understand and respect each other. It is built through effective communication, empathy, and mutual respect.
Trust is more about the confidence one has in another person’s character and actions, which can take time to build and is easily broken. Rapport focuses on the immediate connection and understanding between people, which can enhance communication and collaboration.
In professional settings, trust ensures that team members can rely on one another to fulfill their responsibilities, whereas rapport helps facilitate smooth and effective interactions. Both are important for effective teamwork and relationship-building but serve different roles in the dynamic.
Trust often involves a long-term perspective, assessing consistency and reliability over time. Rapport is more about the immediate interaction, ensuring that individuals feel heard and understood in the moment.
Building trust may require consistent, reliable behavior and demonstrated integrity. Building rapport often involves active listening, showing empathy, and finding common ground in conversations.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Belief in reliability/integrity
Harmonious relationship with mutual understanding
Development
Takes time through consistent actions
Can be established quickly through effective communication
Importance
Fosters safety and dependability
Enhances communication and cooperation
Nature
Long-term perspective
Immediate connection
Focus
Confidence in character/actions
Understanding and respect in interactions
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Building Method
Consistent, reliable behavior
Active listening, empathy, common ground
Role in Professional Settings
Ensures reliability in teams
Facilitates smooth interactions
Trust and Rapport Definitions
Trust
Assurance that someone will act in your best interest.
He placed his trust in his lawyer to handle the case.
Rapport
A close and harmonious relationship in which people understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well.
The therapist quickly established rapport with her new client.
Trust
Firm belief in the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing; confidence or reliance
Trying to gain our clients' trust.
Taking it on trust that our friend is telling the truth.
Rapport
Mutual respect and understanding in a relationship.
Good teachers build rapport with their students to enhance learning.
Trust
The condition and resulting obligation of having confidence placed in one
Violated a public trust.
Rapport
Positive and cooperative interaction that enhances communication.
The negotiator’s success was due to his ability to establish rapport quickly.
Trust
One in which confidence is placed.
Rapport
The ability to relate to others in a way that creates a sense of connection.
He had a natural rapport with his coworkers, making him an effective team leader.
Trust
Custody; care
Left her papers in my trust during her illness.
Rapport
Relationship, especially one of mutual trust or emotional affinity.
Trust
Something committed into the care of another; a charge
Violated a public trust.
Rapport
A relationship of mutual trust and respect. A close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other's feelings or ideas and communicate well.
He always tried to maintain a rapport with his customers.
Trust
Reliance on something in the future; hope
We have trust that the future will be better.
Rapport
Relation; proportion; conformity.
Trust
Reliance on the intention and ability of a purchaser to pay in the future; credit
Bought the supplies on trust from a local dealer.
Rapport
Relation; proportion; conformity; correspondence; accord.
'T is obvious what rapport there is between the conceptions and languages in every country.
Trust
A legal relationship in which one party holds a title to property while another party has the entitlement to the beneficial use of that property.
Rapport
Relation of mutual understanding or trust and agreement between people
Trust
The confidence reposed in a trustee when giving the trustee legal title to property to administer for another, together with the trustee's obligation regarding that property and the beneficiary.
Rapport
A feeling of sympathetic understanding
Trust
The property so held.
Rapport
Sympathetic compatibility
Trust
An institution or organization directed by trustees
A charitable trust.
Rapport
Friendly and empathetic interaction.
Building rapport with customers can improve sales and service experiences.
Trust
A combination of firms or corporations for the purpose of reducing competition and controlling prices throughout a business or industry.
Trust
To have or place confidence in; depend on
Only trusted his friends.
Did not trust the strength of the thin rope.
Could not be trusted to oversee so much money.
Trust
To have confidence in allowing (someone) to use, know, or look after something
Can I trust you with a secret?.
Trust
To expect with assurance; assume
I trust that you will be on time.
Trust
To give credence to; believe
I trust what you say.
Trust
To place in the care of another person or in a situation deemed safe; entrust
"the unfortunate souls who trusted their retirement savings to the stock" (Bill Barnhart).
Trust
To extend credit to.
Trust
To have or place reliance; depend
We can only trust in our guide's knowledge of the terrain.
Trust
To be confident; hope.
Trust
Confidence in or reliance on some person or quality.
He needs to regain her trust if he is ever going to win her back.
To lose trust in someone
Build up trust
A relationship built on mutual trust
Trust
Dependence upon something in the future; hope.
Trust
Confidence in the future payment for goods or services supplied; credit.
I was out of cash, but the landlady let me have it on trust.
Trust
That which is committed or entrusted; something received in confidence; a charge.
Trust
That upon which confidence is reposed; ground of reliance; hope.
Trust
(rare) Trustworthiness, reliability.
Trust
The condition or obligation of one to whom anything is confided; responsible charge or office.
Trust
(legal) The confidence vested in a person who has legal ownership of a property to manage for the benefit of another.
I put the house into my sister's trust.
Trust
(legal) An arrangement whereby property or money is given to be held by a third party (a trustee), on the basis that it will be managed for the benefit of, or eventually transferred to, a stated beneficiary; for example, money to be given to a child when he or she reaches adulthood.
Trust
A group of businessmen or traders organised for mutual benefit to produce and distribute specific commodities or services, and managed by a central body of trustees.
Trust
(computing) Affirmation of the access rights of a user of a computer system.
Trust
(transitive) To place confidence in, to rely on, to confide in.
We cannot trust anyone who deceives us.
Trust
To have faith in; to rely on for continuing support or aid.
Trust
(transitive) To give credence to; to believe; to credit.
Trust
(transitive) To hope confidently; to believe (usually with a phrase or infinitive clause as the object)
I trust you have cleaned your room?
Trust
(transitive) to show confidence in a person by entrusting them with something.
Trust
(transitive) To commit, as to one's care; to entrust.
Trust
(transitive) To give credit to; to sell to upon credit, or in confidence of future payment.
Merchants and manufacturers trust their customers annually with goods.
Trust
To rely on (something), as though having trust (on it).
To trust to luck
Having lost the book, he had to trust to his memory for further details.
Trust
To risk; to venture confidently.
Trust
(intransitive) To have trust; to be credulous; to be won to confidence; to confide.
Trust
To sell or deliver anything in reliance upon a promise of payment; to give credit.
Trust
(obsolete) Secure, safe.
Trust
(obsolete) Faithful, dependable.
Trust
(legal) of or relating to a trust.
Trust
Assured resting of the mind on the integrity, veracity, justice, friendship, or other sound principle, of another person; confidence; reliance; reliance.
Most take things upon trust.
Trust
Credit given; especially, delivery of property or merchandise in reliance upon future payment; exchange without immediate receipt of an equivalent; as, to sell or buy goods on trust.
Trust
Assured anticipation; dependence upon something future or contingent, as if present or actual; hope; belief.
His trust was with the Eternal to be deemedEqual in strength.
Trust
That which is committed or intrusted to one; something received in confidence; charge; deposit.
Trust
The condition or obligation of one to whom anything is confided; responsible charge or office.
[I] serve him truly that will put me in trust.
Reward them well, if they observe their trust.
Trust
That upon which confidence is reposed; ground of reliance; hope.
O Lord God, thou art my trust from my youth.
Trust
An estate devised or granted in confidence that the devisee or grantee shall convey it, or dispose of the profits, at the will, or for the benefit, of another; an estate held for the use of another; a confidence respecting property reposed in one person, who is termed the trustee, for the benefit of another, who is called the cestui que trust.
Trust
An equitable right or interest in property distinct from the legal ownership thereof; a use (as it existed before the Statute of Uses); also, a property interest held by one person for the benefit of another. Trusts are active, or special, express, implied, constructive, etc. In a passive trust the trustee simply has title to the trust property, while its control and management are in the beneficiary.
Trust
A business organization or combination consisting of a number of firms or corporations operating, and often united, under an agreement creating a trust (in sense 1), esp. one formed mainly for the purpose of regulating the supply and price of commodities, etc.; often, opprobriously, a combination formed for the purpose of controlling or monopolizing a trade, industry, or business, by doing acts in restraint or trade; as, a sugar trust. A trust may take the form of a corporation or of a body of persons or corporations acting together by mutual arrangement, as under a contract or a so-called gentlemen's agreement. When it consists of corporations it may be effected by putting a majority of their stock either in the hands of a board of trustees (whence the name trust for the combination) or by transferring a majority to a holding company. The advantages of a trust are partly due to the economies made possible in carrying on a large business, as well as the doing away with competition. In the United States severe statutes against trusts have been passed by the Federal government and in many States, with elaborate statutory definitions.
Trust
Held in trust; as, trust property; trustmoney.
Trust
To place confidence in; to rely on, to confide, or repose faith, in; as, we can not trust those who have deceived us.
I will never trust his word after.
He that trusts every one without reserve will at last be deceived.
Trust
To give credence to; to believe; to credit.
Trust me, you look well.
Trust
To hope confidently; to believe; - usually with a phrase or infinitive clause as the object.
I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face.
We trustwe have a good conscience.
Trust
To show confidence in a person by intrusting (him) with something.
Whom, with your power and fortune, sir, you trust,Now to suspect is vain.
Trust
To commit, as to one's care; to intrust.
Merchants were not willing to trust precious cargoes to any custody but that of a man-of-war.
Trust
To give credit to; to sell to upon credit, or in confidence of future payment; as, merchants and manufacturers trust their customers annually with goods.
Trust
To risk; to venture confidently.
[Beguiled] by theeto trust thee from my side.
Trust
To have trust; to be credulous; to be won to confidence; to confide.
More to know could not be more to trust.
Trust
To be confident, as of something future; to hope.
I will trust and not be afraid.
Trust
To sell or deliver anything in reliance upon a promise of payment; to give credit.
It is happier sometimes to be cheated than not to trust.
Her widening streets on new foundations trust.
They trusted unto the liers in wait.
Trust
Something (as property) held by one party (the trustee) for the benefit of another (the beneficiary);
He is the beneficiary of a generous trust set up by his father
Trust
Certainty based on past experience;
He wrote the paper with considerable reliance on the work of other scientists
He put more trust in his own two legs than in the gun
Trust
The trait of trusting; of believing in the honesty and reliability of others;
The experience destroyed his trust and personal dignity
Trust
A consortium of independent organizations formed to limit competition by controlling the production and distribution of a product or service;
They set up the trust in the hope of gaining a monopoly
Trust
Complete confidence in a person or plan etc;
He cherished the faith of a good woman
The doctor-patient relationship is based on trust
Trust
A trustful relationship;
He took me into his confidence
He betrayed their trust
Trust
Have confidence or faith in;
We can trust in God
Rely on your friends
Bank on your good education
I swear by my grandmother's recipes
Trust
Allow without fear
Trust
Be confident about something;
I believe that he will come back from the war
Trust
Expect and wish;
I trust you will behave better from now on
I hope she understands that she cannot expect a raise
Trust
Confer a trust upon;
The messenger was entrusted with the general's secret
I commit my soul to God
Trust
Extend credit to
Trust
Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
She has trust in her colleague’s ability to manage the project.
Trust
Confidence in someone’s integrity and character.
Trust is essential in any long-term relationship.
Trust
Dependence on someone or something to act predictably and honestly.
The team’s trust in their leader was unshakeable.
Trust
Feeling of safety and security in relying on someone.
Building trust with customers is crucial for a business’s success.
FAQs
How is trust built?
Trust is built through consistent and reliable behavior over time.
What is rapport?
Rapport is a harmonious relationship characterized by mutual understanding and respect.
How is rapport built?
Rapport is built through effective communication, empathy, and finding common ground.
Is trust long-term or short-term?
Trust is typically long-term, built over time through consistent actions.
What is trust?
Trust is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something.
Can you have trust without rapport?
Yes, you can trust someone’s reliability without having a close, harmonious relationship.
Why is trust important in professional settings?
Trust ensures that team members can rely on each other, fostering a dependable work environment.
Can rapport be established quickly?
Yes, rapport can often be established quickly through positive interactions.
Can trust be broken?
Yes, trust can be easily broken by inconsistent or dishonest behavior.
Can you have rapport without trust?
Yes, you can establish rapport without deep trust, especially in initial interactions.
Can trust exist without communication?
Trust can exist with limited communication if past behavior has shown reliability.
Can rapport exist without trust?
Rapport can exist without deep trust, focusing more on immediate mutual understanding.
Is rapport long-term or short-term?
Rapport can be both short-term and long-term, focusing on immediate connection and interaction.
How does rapport affect interactions?
Rapport makes interactions more comfortable and cooperative.
Why is rapport important in professional settings?
Rapport facilitates smooth and effective communication, enhancing collaboration.
How does trust affect relationships?
Trust creates a sense of safety and reliability in relationships.
How do trust and rapport complement each other?
Trust provides a foundation of reliability, while rapport enhances immediate communication and connection.
Why are both trust and rapport important in teamwork?
Trust ensures reliability and dependability, while rapport enhances effective and harmonious interactions.
What role does empathy play in rapport?
Empathy is crucial for understanding and connecting with others, thereby building rapport.
What role does reliability play in trust?
Reliability is key to developing trust, as it shows consistency and dependability.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Co-written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
