You know how we often think trust is built through big promises? Brene Brown flips that entirely. Trust is built in small moments through consistent, everyday actions that prove reliability. It’s the tiny, almost invisible bricks that create an unshakable foundation.
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Meaning
The core message is simple but profound: trust isn’t an event, it’s a process. It’s not about the one-time heroic act, but the accumulation of countless, seemingly minor interactions.
Explanation
Let me break this down from my own experience. We get so fixated on the grand gesture—the big apology after a mess-up, the lavish team-building event. But that’s not where the real work happens. The real work is in the small moments. It’s when you follow up on that tiny action item you said you would. It’s responding to an email promptly. It’s showing up on time for a meeting. It’s admitting you don’t know something instead of bluffing. Those are the moments. They seem insignificant, but they compound. They send a clear, consistent signal: You can count on me. The grand gesture without this foundation? It’s just noise. It’s like trying to build a skyscraper on sand.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Category | Life (320) |
| Topics | integrity (42), relationship general (37), trust (147) |
| Literary Style | clear (348), poetic (635) |
| Emotion / Mood | calm (491), gentle (183) |
| Overall Quote Score | 91 (15) |
Origin & Factcheck
This wisdom comes straight from Brene Brown’s 2018 book, Dare to Lead, which was published in the United States. It’s a cornerstone of her research on courageous leadership. You might see similar sentiments elsewhere, but this specific, powerful phrasing is uniquely hers, born from years of qualitative data on what makes leaders effective.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Brene Brown (257) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. (29) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1892) |
| Original Language | English (3668) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Brene Brown is the author of books such as Daring Greatly and The Power of Vulnerability. The TED talk and Netflix production based on her research reached out to millions of audience. She researches effects of courage and vulnerability in shaping people's work and relationships. She leads the Brené Brown Education and Research Group and provides evidence-based insights into practical tools to help people train themselves
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Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | Trust is built in small moments, not grand gestures |
| Book Details | Publication Year/Date: 2018; ISBN/Unique Identifier: 9780399592522; Last Edition: Random House 2018; Number of Pages: 320 |
| Where is it? | Part III: Braving Trust, Approximate page from 2018 edition: 119 |