Believe People’s Actions

✨ This post is part of Today’s Working Woman — a space for real talk, quiet ambition, and everyday growth. Here, we share honest reflections and practical tools to help women show up fully in work and in life. Because being ambitious doesn’t mean being perfect — it means being human, and that’s always enough.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve ignored my instincts because I wanted to believe someone’s words instead of their actions. A promise sounded good. An excuse seemed reasonable. A charming explanation made me second-guess my own gut. And every time, I ended up realizing the truth: actions always speak louder than words.

As women, many of us are conditioned to give the benefit of the doubt. We extend grace. We rationalize behavior. We say, “Maybe they didn’t mean it that way,” or “I’m sure it’ll be different next time.” And while empathy is a gift, it can become a weakness when it blinds us to reality.

Actions Tell the Real Story

Words can be persuasive. They can soothe, inspire, or convince. But actions? Actions are truth. If someone consistently shows you who they are through how they treat you, how they show up, and how they prioritize — believe them.

When you ignore those signals, you do yourself a disservice. You waste time, energy, and trust on someone who has already revealed their true character.

In Leadership and Work

This truth doesn’t just apply to personal relationships — it applies at work, too. As professionals, we often want to believe in the potential of colleagues, partners, or clients. But potential without follow-through can derail progress.

·       Colleagues: If someone repeatedly misses deadlines or undermines your contributions, no matter what they promise, believe the pattern. Adjust expectations accordingly.

·       Clients: A client who constantly pushes boundaries or disrespects agreements has already shown you how they value your work. Believe them, and decide if the partnership is worth continuing.

·       Leaders: If a manager says they support growth but never advocates for promotions or raises, trust the actions, not the words.

When we treat actions as truth in the workplace, we protect our energy, sharpen our decision-making, and model integrity for those around us.

Trusting Your Gut

Your gut is powerful. It’s the quiet voice that says, “Something doesn’t feel right here.” Too often, we silence it out of fear of being “too harsh” or “too judgmental.” But that voice is wisdom. It’s intuition sharpened by experience.

The next time someone’s actions don’t line up with their words, pay attention. Trust yourself enough to believe what you see — not just what you hear.

Practical Ways to Live This Out

1.     Watch for consistency. Do their actions align with what they say — not just once, but over time?

2.     Notice how you feel. Do you leave interactions feeling respected and valued, or drained and second-guessing yourself?

3.     Stop making excuses. If someone repeatedly shows a pattern, accept it as truth.

4.     Set boundaries accordingly. Protect your energy by adjusting expectations and limits.

5.     Trust your intuition. When your gut raises a flag, it’s not random. It’s experience speaking.

Final Thought

Believe people’s actions. Not because you’re cynical, but because you’re wise enough to recognize the truth when it’s right in front of you — in business, in leadership, and in life.

✨ Your time, energy, and trust are too valuable to waste. When someone shows you who they are — believe them, and choose accordingly.

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