In her groundbreaking book Who Can You Trust?, Rachel Botsman explores how trust takes on many shapes and forms in today’s world. I found her work not only unique but also a powerful validation of the timeless saying: “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Through hundreds of interviews, Botsman discovered that the meaning of trust varies greatly from person to person - often in surprising ways. What becomes clear is that trust is not static; it is fluid, evolving, and deeply contextual. In fact, trust may be one of the most transformative forces shaping our modern world. Without it, there would be no relationships, no institutions, no progress - and certainly no innovation. And what drives today’s growth and transformation more than anything else? Technology.
Botsman defines trust as “the conduit through which new ideas travel.” In other words, trust is what allows change to happen. I believe most of us would agree with that sentiment. But it raises a timely and essential question: In the era of Tech, how do we know who—or what—to trust?
Is our trust motivated by a desire to grow, adapt, and stay relevant? Do we embrace technology out of genuine curiosity and ambition - or out of fear that falling behind means being left behind? And does a disinterest in growth correlate with lower levels of trust?
If we consider trust as a dynamic intersection between growth and technology, the picture becomes clearer. Progressive thinkers often exhibit higher trust, take greater risks, and seem to enjoy the journey more fully. Botsman’s research even shows that people today trust more in the digital era than they did in the past. Perhaps this is because technology empowers self-improvement like never before, or because it creates a sense of global connection that reminds us how much we share in common.
So I’ll leave you with this: What drives your trust? And in this rapidly evolving legal landscape, are you choosing trust as a catalyst for transformation - or holding back from the future that’s already here?