Entrusting

Entrusting is the act of giving another person or entity a task, responsibility, or piece of information with the expectation that it will be handled appropriately. It rests on confidence in the trustee's abilities and in their willingness to act in the entrustor's interests, while accepting some risk.

Common contexts include personal relationships (sharing secrets, caregiving, financial decisions), professional settings (delegation of tasks, access to resources, handling confidential data), and formal arrangements such as trusteeships or fiduciary duties.

Decision to entrust is influenced by perceptions of ability, integrity, and benevolence, often collectively called trustworthiness. It also depends on track record, clarity of expectations, and safeguards. Best practices involve defining scope and timelines, selecting a reliable trustee, and setting accountability measures.

Entrusting offers benefits such as efficiency and growth, and strengthens relationships when done well. It carries risks including misuse of information, negligence, or conflicts of interest. To manage these risks, define boundaries, retain oversight, and preserve the right to revoke or adjust authority; ensure confidentiality and legal obligations are observed.

Entrusting is a core element of social and organizational cooperation, enabling delegation and collaboration while requiring careful assessment and ongoing communication.