Trust continues to be built on distinctly human expertise, creativity, and growth

I hear versions of this everywhere—especially during my keynotes and workshops. Not “Will AI impact my role?” but “How much—and how soon?”

• Emerging professionals are realizing the career paths they were aiming for may no longer exist in the same form. 
• Managers wonder if their decisions are quietly being second-guessed by a bot.
• Seasoned experts with decades of experience are suddenly questioning whether what they offer is still unique—or already replaceable.

AI is changing the way we work, the way our work is perceived, and what it means to be competent. 

But it hasn’t changed what it means to be trusted.

Trust can’t be “artificially intelligenced”

True trust is no longer implied by title—it’s earned through traction. It flows to the people who stay ready, relevant, and reliably two (or ten) steps ahead. It belongs to those who continue to show—not just say—that they’re growing, adapting, and able to lead through uncertainty.  

This isn’t just about having the most knowledge—it’s about having the clarity, confidence, and discernment to understand what matters and what to do with it.

In a world increasingly run by algorithms, the trust pillar of human competency—critical thinking, creativity, curious compassion, adaptability—isn’t obsolete. 

It’s more critical than ever.

Competency: A Trust Pillar—and a Growth Mindset

When we say someone is competent, we’re not just describing their skill—we’re affirming their trustworthiness. 

Competency inspires trust because it essentially says: You know what you’re doing—and I believe you can help me get where I need to go. 

It’s a relational currency. We don’t place our confidence in the person who claims to know everything. We trust the one who’s been there, who can see a few steps further down the path than we can, and who has the results to prove it.

That’s why you don’t need to be a world-class expert to earn trust. Competency isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about demonstrating that you’re committed to staying sharp, solving problems, and showing up equipped. It also means being able to recognize where others have gaps—and guiding them forward with humility and insight.

It’s also about staying open to what you don’t know. Because ironically, it’s the pursuit of mastery—not the illusion of having arrived—that makes you a reliable source of information, guidance, and encouragement.

In other words, if others can rely on your judgment, your process, or your steady growth, they’ll rely on you.

The AI Dilemma: Trusting the Tool vs. Trusting the Thinking

AI can write copy, analyze trends, crunch code, and even offer relationship advice—but it can’t empathize, take responsibility, or be held to real-world consequences.

That’s why even as AI continues to evolve, we don’t trust it. We trust the people who know how to use it wisely (or who continue to operate well without it).

Competency in today’s world includes more than technical skill. It includes judgment. Discernment. Ethical thinking. Creativity. These are things no machine can replicate—not in a way that builds real trust.

Being competent now means knowing:

• What to delegate to a system
• What to own as your human edge
• What to question before accepting as truth

AI may be faster. But trust favors those who are thoughtful.

If you blindly accept what’s generated, you lose credibility. If you interrogate the results, refine them, apply them with nuance—you become the kind of leader others want to follow.

No matter how advanced the tools become, people seek humans they can rely on—especially those who think clearly, ask better questions, and make smarter calls when it matters most.

Input = Output: Real Coding for Trust.

In a world obsessed with automation, it’s tempting to think trust can be streamlined too. But while you can’t automate trust, you can create conditions where it grows most effectively.

That’s what the principle of Input = Output (Trust Tool #16 in my latest book) captures: a kind of trust code. It’s not a shortcut—it’s a pattern.

The people we trust—the ones who feel grounded, capable, and just a step ahead—aren’t running on luck. They’ve made a habit of putting the right things in and giving the right things out.

• Constant and fresh learning
• Honest feedback and accountability
• Stretch opportunities and challenges
• Courage to apply

Competency doesn’t appear overnight—it’s built by what you consistently take in, practice, and apply. If you want to contribute more value, make better decisions, or earn deeper trust, you have to start with better inputs.

Start by asking yourself:

• How am I truly unique—and how can I double-down on that differentiator?
• Where am I already one step ahead—and how can I bring someone with me?
• What knowledge or skill do I have that can’t be easily automated or outsourced?
• Who already trusts me—and how can I keep earning that trust through what I learn next?

Remember, competency doesn’t require mastery. It requires motion—the kind that’s visible, valuable, and rooted in purpose.

Trust Grows Where You Grow

In a world where change is constant—AI advances, roles evolve, and industries shift—the surest way to stay ahead is to keep growing and moving forward.

If you’re an individual looking to become a sought-after expert, it starts with investing in your own learning. If you’re leading a team or company, it starts with creating a culture where personal and professional development isn’t an afterthought—it’s an expectation.

It’s not just about funding training programs or offering courses (though those matter). It’s about encouraging curiosity. Making time for reflection. Rewarding initiative. Equipping people not just with new skills, but with the confidence that comes from knowing I can handle what comes next.

Because in the end, competency isn’t just about what you know—it’s about who you become through learning. It’s as much a mindset as it is a skill set. And when you cultivate it, you don’t just make yourself more capable—you make everyone around you feel more secure, supported, and ready to rise.

The more confident competency is shared, the more innovation, creativity, productivity, and success are possible.

That’s the quiet power of true competency: It doesn’t just build trust. It builds everything.

As the leading authority on trust, David Horsager helps leaders turn competency into confident action and outcomes. His keynotes and custom workshops are trusted by global brands to deepen connection, drive accountability, and build cultures of character. He’s also the creator of the Trust Edge Certification, equipping leaders and teams to apply the 8 Pillars of Trust in practical, high-impact ways across teams and organizations.