FOUNDERS DIARY: ENTRY 29.11.24: Trusting Yourself to Show Up: The Beauty Behind Trust & Network

Last week, for the first time I attended the British Luxembourg Society End-of-Year Gala. It was one of those events where I had no safety net—no familiar group to lean on, no one waiting to greet me at the door. I made the decision quietly: booked a ticket, got dressed, and showed up alone, just me stepping into the unknown.

Walking in, I felt the usual nerves that come with doing something completely solo. I scanned the room—a sea of faces, most of them unfamiliar. I recognised a few people, like the BLS’s president, but not anyone I could immediately approach with a “Hey! How have you been?” Still, I reminded myself why I was there: to connect, to experience, and to lean into the discomfort of not having everything planned.

I approached the president, said hello, and to my relief, he was standing with a small group. A quick introduction later, I found myself in conversation with a lovely couple. They suggested we move to a more central spot by the entrance—an excellent strategy, as it turned out. A bit like sitting in the front row of a class, I couldn’t sink into the background and hide. I would stand out and see others arriving. This couple was well-known in the group, which created more opportunities for introductions. It became easier to chat, connect, and even admit I was there alone. To my surprise, several others confessed the same, and we laughed about the mutual bravery it took to attend solo.

When it came time for dinner, I faced the next challenge: finding my seat. It’s that awkward moment of scanning the table list, wondering what dynamic awaits. To my surprise, there was someone at my table I actually knew. At first, neither of us recognised the other, but as the evening unfolded, we recollected where we knew each other from and shared more laughs.

By the end of the night, I had made new connections, rekindled an old one, and laughed so much. A surreal highlight was spotting someone on their phone, browsing the JNB website. That moment, as small as it was, felt like a signal—a reminder that the work I’m doing matters and is finding its audience.

Reflecting on the evening, it struck me how much trust was at the heart of it all.

Not trust in the workplace—though that’s the key theme of the upcoming workshop I’m co-facilitating with the British Chamber of Commerce—but trust in the broader sense. Trust in people, in experiences, and most importantly, in yourself.

The Role of Trust in New Experiences

Trust is a delicate, sometimes fickle thing. It can be broken, rebuilt, and tested. Yet stepping into the unknown, whether it’s a gala or a challenging workplace dynamic, requires a certain level of trust.

For me, attending the gala alone was an exercise in trusting that:

1. People are generally open to connection—if you approach them with kindness and curiosity.
2. The situation will unfold as it should—even if it feels uncomfortable at first.
3. I am capable of navigating the unknown—finding my footing, engaging, and making the most of the opportunity.

It’s the same principle I’ll be discussing in the workshop on trust in hybrid and remote workplaces. Trust in professional settings isn’t that different. To rebuild trust, we need to take a step forward, even when the outcome is uncertain. We have to believe in the potential of our colleagues, our teams, and ourselves.

Finding Strength in Vulnerability

What surprised me most about the evening was how much strength I found in the vulnerability of going it alone. Walking into a room full of strangers without a pre-planned safety net forced me to lean into my own resourcefulness.

Trusting yourself to show up, even when it’s uncomfortable, is a skill. It’s one that grows with practice and pays dividends in connection, confidence, and clarity.

The same applies to the professional world. Building trust in teams or organisations starts with showing up—honestly and openly—and taking small, deliberate steps forward. It’s not about having all the answers but about committing to the process of connection and growth.

The Payoff

By the end of the gala, with new and old acquaintances, reflecting on the steps forward we had taken in the last year, and feeling a deep sense of alignment with JNB’s mission. That’s what trust does—it bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

As we prepare for the Building Trust in the Workplace workshop, I’m reminded of the power of trust, both personally and professionally. Trust isn’t just an abstract value; it’s a guiding force. And whether it’s walking into a gala alone or leading a team through change, trust helps us take the next step with confidence.

If there’s one takeaway I’d love to share from this experience, it’s this: trust yourself to show up, even when the path ahead feels uncertain. You might just surprise yourself with where it leads.

Ciao for now,

Josh