Trust
In his seminal book “Trust”, sociologist Francis Fukuma gathered and studied information dating centuries back about current and former countries. He concluded, rather convincingly, that “high trust” cultures significantly out-produce “low trust” cultures. He then went on to study companies. He came to the same conclusion.
Today the topic of trust has never been hotter. Books, articles, speeches, and gurus of all types and stripes scream, “Transparency!” Teams have become the platform of today’s holy grail—innovation. Recent estimates suggest that by 2020, all innovations will come out of cross-functional teams. Yet, Gallup research has uncovered that even in “high trust” USA, the percentage of employees fully engaged in their organization hovers at about 25%. Patrick Lencioni’s cleverly written metaphor, The Five Dysfunction of a Team, suggests that the “absence of trust” is at the very core of team failure. The hidden cost of mistrust is directly proportional to the thickness of the contract.
Whether an employer, a tenured or new employee, a supplier, or a parent– trust is the lubricant of relationship building and productivity. Here are a “Baker’s Dozen” tips to improve your TQ (Trust Quotient):
1. Straight Talk
2. Demonstrate Respect
3. Create Transparency
4. Right Wrongs
5. Show Loyalty
6. Deliver (Period)
7. Get Better
8. Confront Reality
9. Clarify
10. Be Accountable
11. Listen First
12. Keep Commitments
13. Give Trust
Next Week: Ten Rules for Innovators Hint: Show up every day prepared to “lose your job.”
