“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” Stephen Covey
During the most trying of times, extending trust may be one of the most difficult, yet critical components in business. In today’s business climate, the environment in which we work is as essential as the work that we do. Creating a business culture around TRUST can accelerate success, encourage teams, and enable collaboration beyond the business office environment. I believe the TRUST we create; creates the TRUST we believe:
- TRUST IS NOT something owed to anyone. It is not a business right, nor is it given in exchange for a paycheck.
- TRUST IS NOT soft, yet it should not be illusive or impossible to obtain.
- TRUST IS NOT always a reflection of your character, though character is an important aspect of TRUST.
- TRUST IS NOT always a reflection of our abilities, but our capabilities do build TRUST.
- TRUST IS confidence. It is reflective of and in the results we produce.
- TRUST IS reliable; knowing that we are available, especially when it counts.
- TRUST IS part of our Character, our Integrity, and our Intent in everything we do.
- TRUST IS being competent. We do not have to be outstanding, but we do need to have the knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful.
TRUST is an important aspect of doing business. We cannot have success, if our customers, clients and stakeholders do not have TRUST in what we do. OUR economy is dependent on TRUST and works best when people can TRUST in each other to do business together.
TRUST is even more important WITHIN our business; with our company, with our employees and between departments. Without TRUST, we lose faith and focus in what we are doing as a company. When we are not able to trust in each other, productivity suffers, confidence wanes and we struggle with positive results. We cannot build a successful business without first building TRUST within our business. To effectively build TRUST, we must be able to have effective communication, accountability, and reinforcement.
Communicate company VISION, VALUES and EXPECTATIONS on a consistent basis. This begins with the leadership team and filters down to every individual within OUR business.
Hold each other ACCUNTABLE. SEE something, SAY something, DO something.
Reinforce EXPECTATIONS by being positive and eliminating negativity. And if you must discipline someone, they should know and understand why – there should be no surprises.
I will always remember, and I have done my best over 20 plus years as manager, to utilize sage advice from my Labor Relations professor. “As a manager, there should never be any surprises when you fire or terminate someone. If the person is surprised, then you have done a poor job communicating and reinforcing expectations entrusted to you.”
We are all in this together. Our business, our employees, our customers, and our economy are dependent on TRUST. Managing TRUST may be one of the most important tasks that we are responsible for in our business today. Extending TRUST within our business environment on a daily basis is essential, especially in OUR most trying times.
