Surveys and statistics abound: only 22% of the public trust government...only 10% of employees trust management...50% of a class is suspected of cheating...
At the highest level in NSW, with Eddie Obeid and his family actively involved in long-term high level corrupt behaviour, it seems, it is difficult to trust a politician or, a business person!
It's a difficult time to be a leader. The majority of employees are disengaged, their discretionary efforts tamed, passions for work fleeting, and ideas tethered. Yet, we can build trust individually and in groups at our workplace.
Nan S. Russell's book, "TRUST INC: How to Create a Business Culture" shares how you can create a workplace where engagement, passion and great work thrive.
Broken Trust Experiences
We all have broken-trust experiences. We all know the pain, disappointment and anger of giving our trust, only to have it betrayed. We also know how disheartening and unfulfilling it is to work with or for people you can't trust or who don't trust you. Yet, that's the reality for most.
Authentic trust, the trust that's broken or missing in a lot of workplaces, fuels innovation and engagement, and ignites passions in those we lead. Every day, leaders at all levels ‘communicate with their actions’ that they're not committed to a working relationship with those they lead. They eliminate resources and positions while still expecting immediate results. They shut out dialogue and limit open communication, while still requesting candid feedback. They reward unfavourable behaviours, while operating with myopic interests and escalating bureaucracy. And then they wonder why those they're striving to engage are alienated, distrustful and fed-up.
Employees know what many leaders haven't figured out: Parental, top-down cultures in today's world are as ineffective as one-size-fits-all, print-only marketing approaches.
Trust isn't about "those" people in senior management; it's about us in our individual work groups. If someone works for you, it's your trust that matters most to them. You're the one having everyday impact on their work.
Can they trust you? Can they count on you? Are you worthy of their trust? Do you trust them? These issues affect both their results and yours. Don't be naive in thinking trust is only about others. For the people who work for you, it's about you.
Reference: Nan S. Russell: “Trust, Inc.: How to Create a Business Culture That Will Ignite Passion, Engagement”.
Business Tips
Creating Your Business Culture:Trust
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- Parent Category: Business Tips
- Category: Leadership
