DIMENSION 01
Where trust originates
Authority derives from identifiable foundations. Without a credible source, no system of trust can be built.
Every trust system begins with a source — the origin point from which credibility flows. Source is the foundation that determines what can be credibly claimed, taught, assessed, and scaled.
Source takes different forms depending on the context: original research and theory development, demonstrated outcomes over time, institutional backing and governance, or market validation through adoption. The strongest systems draw from multiple sources simultaneously.
The nature of the source constrains the entire system. A methodology grounded in peer-reviewed research supports different claims than one grounded in practitioner experience. Neither is inherently superior — but the system must be designed to match.
Use these to assess the source dimension in your own system.
Can you trace your method's authority to a specific, articulable foundation?
Would a skeptical expert in your domain find your source credible under scrutiny?
Does your source support the specific claims your market positioning makes?
Is your source documented in a form that survives your personal involvement?
Could a third party verify the origins of your methodology independently?
A building science standard grounded in peer-reviewed health research. The source supports global regulatory adoption because the evidence base is independently verifiable.
A performance coaching methodology validated through thousands of documented athlete outcomes. The source is empirical — repeatable results, not academic theory.
A social equity program backed by a recognized standards body. The institutional endorsement provides source credibility that accelerates market adoption.
A business coaching methodology where source credibility comes from a decade of documented client results and public case studies. Market validation substitutes for academic backing.
RECEIVES FROM
Risk →Risk exposure feeds back into source — reputational damage or governance failures can undermine the very foundation of credibility.
FEEDS INTO
Transfer →The nature of the source shapes what can be transferred. A well-documented source enables structured knowledge transfer; a poorly documented one creates founder dependency.