Trust Calibrator

Execution Steps

Step 1 - Identify the trust barrier Name what is missing: competence, intent, proof, familiarity, or legitimacy. Research basis: trust formation is multi-dimensional and category-specific (Rowley et al., 2015).

Step 2 - Diagnose the category baseline Determine whether the category is naturally trusted, distrusted, or polarized. Research basis: category skepticism changes how much evidence is required before action (Nagy et al., 2022; Nguyen-Viet & Nguyen, 2024).

Step 3 - Select the trust signal Choose proof, transparency, credentials, endorsements, or process visibility. Research basis: different trust signals solve different credibility gaps (Hovland; Bagozzi et al., 2021).

Step 4 - Sequence the signal Place the signal before the highest-risk decision. Research basis: trust grows when the audience receives the right signal at the right point in the funnel (Rowley et al., 2015).

Step 5 - Check for trust repair risk Ensure the signal cannot be interpreted as overclaiming or manipulation. Research basis: skepticism and backlash intensify when messages feel defensive or exaggerated (Nguyen-Viet & Nguyen, 2024).

DECISION MATRIX

Variable: trust barrier

• If competence is the barrier -> show expertise, process, and results.
• If benevolence is the barrier -> show care, support, and customer interest.
• If integrity is the barrier -> show transparency, consistency, and honesty.
• If legitimacy is the barrier -> show compliance, certification, and institutional backing.

Variable: audience familiarity

• If unfamiliar -> use simple, low-pressure trust signals.
• If somewhat familiar -> add proof and comparisons.
• If already familiar -> reduce clutter and let evidence speak.

Variable: category skepticism

• If high -> use more explicit proof and less flourish.
• If medium -> blend proof with narrative.
• If low -> keep trust signals minimal and clean.

FAILURE MODES - DO NOT DO THESE

Failure Mode 1

• Agents typically: assume one testimonial fixes trust.
• Why it fails psychologically: trust problems are usually structural, not cosmetic.
• Instead: match the signal to the actual barrier.

Failure Mode 2

• Agents typically: overdo transparency in a way that feels defensive.
• Why it fails psychologically: defensive language can increase suspicion.
• Instead: be clear, calm, and bounded.

Failure Mode 3

• Agents typically: use trust signals out of sequence.
• Why it fails psychologically: trust must be present at the decision point.
• Instead: place signals where the risk is felt.

ETHICAL GUARDRAILS

This skill must:

• Build trust with real evidence.
• Avoid fake intimacy and fake authority.
• Respect uncertainty when the evidence is incomplete.

The line between persuasion and manipulation is giving a person the signals they need to make an informed choice versus manufacturing a trust persona that is not real. Never cross it.

SKILL CHAINING

Before invoking this skill, the agent should have completed:

• @customer-psychographic-profiler
• @awareness-stage-mapper

This skill's output feeds into:

• @social-proof-architect
• @copywriting-psychologist
• @pitch-psychologist
• @sequence-psychologist

OUTPUT QUALITY CHECK

Before finalizing output, the agent asks:

• Did I identify the actual trust barrier?
• Did I choose the right trust signal?
• Did I place it at the right decision point?
• Did I avoid defensive over-explaining?
• Does the output feel credible, calm, and real?

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.