What My Easy-Bake Oven Taught Me About Trust

When I wrote Talk To Me Nice, I expected readers to think about their workplaces. What I didn’t expect was how many people would reach out saying, “I’m rethinking how I show up in my personal relationships too.”

Parents and kids. Siblings. Partners. Friends.

Trust isn’t limited to the office. It’s the quiet thread that runs through everything we value.

When I think about trust, I go back to two moments from childhood.

The first was when my parents trusted me to watch my younger brothers for the first time. I felt proud—like I had earned something invisible but important.

The second was my Easy-Bake Oven era. My brothers would ask me to bake them cakes (on the floor of my bedroom—questionable safety choices, I know). But they trusted me. I was their safe space, even in those small, sugary moments.

Looking back, both memories remind me of one of the most powerful trust languages: Demonstration.

Demonstration is the bridge between words and actions. It’s how people know your values align with your behavior. It’s not just saying “I love you,” or “I’ve got your back”—it’s showing it.

Here are three ways to demonstrate trust in any relationship:

1️⃣ Consistency. Keep your word, especially when it’s inconvenient.
2️⃣ Safety. Create space where others can be honest without fear.
3️⃣ Integrity. Align your behavior with your values—even when no one’s watching.

Trust is a living thing. It grows where actions meet intention.

This week, ask yourself: How can I demonstrate trust to the people who matter most?