Human Skills: Trust · Step 2: Repair · Let's Practice!
Which Stage Are You In?
Spotting readiness — in others, and in yourself
You've just read about the Five Stages of Readiness (Prochaska & DiClemente, 1983) — the way humans get ready to do new or difficult things, like taking ownership of our part in a trust break.
Readiness shows up in the way people describe a challenge. You'll read eight leaders talking about a trust issue in their own words — in no particular order — and your job is to spot which stage each one is in. Then you'll take an honest, and completely private, look at yourself.
1 · Precontemplation — not thinking about it yet; it's something other people do
2 · Contemplation — picturing yourself doing it
3 · Preparation — gathering what you'll need; making space for it
4 · Action — doing it, fully committed
5 · Maintenance — it's not a new thing anymore; it's your thing
About 5 minutes · There's no grade here — just practice.
Part 1 · Spot the stage
Which stage of readiness is this?
The signals you can now spot
You've just seen all five stages in the wild. Here are the signals that mark each one:
Precontemplation — the problem lives entirely outside us: "I didn't do anything wrong."
Contemplation — imagining without arranging: "I keep picturing…" "I can see myself…"
Preparation — gathering and making space: "I asked a mentor…" "I blocked time Friday…"
Action — ownership out loud, in the present: "I told my team I dropped the ball."
Maintenance — routine, not a new thing: "It's just how I work now."
Part 2 · Now, you
Bring to mind a real situation in your world — one where trust has been strained and you might have a part to own.
Without judging yourself, which stage are you in right now?
Your answer stays on this screen. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Wherever you are in the cycle, you're already responding to a challenge.
Trust = consistent Responses to Challenges over Time
Locating yourself honestly — the way you just did — is a consistent response. Every stage is a legitimate place to start, and the next stage is always just one small step away.
Now head back to the book. Up next: why our brains make taking ownership so hard — and what to do about it.