The Proven Path to T.R.U.S.T.

Everything takes longer when you don’t trust those around you.

Mistrust doubles the cost of doing business. Professor John Whitney, Columbia Business School.

5 qualities of low trust organizations:

1. Redundancy.
2. Bureaucracy.
3. Politics.
4. Disengagement.
5. Turnover.

See more in the, “The Speed of Trust,” by Stephen M.R. Covey.

5 steps to building TRUST

I’m a sucker for an acronym. I’m running with this one from Judith Glaser’s book, “Conversational Intelligence.”

Transparency

1. Tell people who you are if you expect to see who they really are.
2. Tell people what’s going on. Insecurity inspires protective barriers.
3. “Be Present.” I can’t trust you if you aren’t really here.

Relationship – tell people where they stand

1. Candor with gentleness is kind; uncertainty cruel.
2. People want to know if they fit in.
3. People wonder if they are good enough.

Joy requires trust.

Understanding – communicate with context

1. “A picture with a frame becomes a different picture.” Judith Glaser
2. Uncertainty births confusion. Background eliminates confusion.
3. Explain intentions, dreams, and long-term goals.

Shared success – demonstrate how we win together

1. Reject monologue. Embrace dialog.
2. Help others standout.
3. Use status to give status.

Tell the truth at all times

1. “Don’t make the situation look better than it is, even if you can.” Judith Glaser
2. Hard truths are the most important truths.
3. Confront in the smallest context possible.

Courage to say what you see is the first step toward real leadership.

How can leaders build trust?

**This post is inspired by Judith Glaser’s book, “Conversational Intelligence.”