As a new year opens, many of us think about what we want to build, fix, or improve.
But before goals, before plans, before resolutions, Cathy McMorris Rodgers offers a more basic starting point:
Trust.
After twenty years in the U.S. Congress, Cathy did not name power, policy wins, or seniority as her most valuable asset. She named trust - being trusted, and choosing to trust others - as the key to success.
That insight feels especially relevant at the beginning of 2026.
Trust as a Foundation, Not a Reward
Cathy reflected on running ten successful campaigns, serving in leadership roles, and navigating deep disagreement. What consistently made progress possible wasn’t consensus - it was credibility.
People believed she would be honest with them.
They believed she would show up.
They believed she would keep her word.
Trust didn’t mean everyone agreed with her. It meant people were willing to work together anyway.
Why Trust Matters Now
The start of a year often brings both optimism and hesitation. Cynicism is easy. Suspicion feels protective. Yet Cathy’s experience suggests that progress rarely begins by being guarded.
When we lead with trust, whether in leadership, philanthropy, relationships, or civic life, we create space for cooperation, responsibility, and shared purpose.
Giving the Benefit of the Doubt
Cathy’s lesson is not about choosing our reality.
As this year begins, perhaps one of the most meaningful gifts we can offer to colleagues, partners, institutions, and one another is the benefit of the doubt.
And maybe the work of the year doesn’t start with asking what we want to achieve, but by deciding how we choose to show up.
