TRUST

I’ve been noticing the use of the word TRUST lately. Not for any particular reason. Except that it seems relevant as we’re asking our associates to follow us into ‘battle’. And I wonder, what does one need to do to earn the title of Trustworthy?

Then I thought about the word TRUST and what it means in a relationship, or as a parent of two teenage sons. And whether or not its meaning, and its building blocks in those domains can be associated with the meaning of trust in a leader. The parallels are uncanny. Trust is Trust no matter how you slice it!

This is what I know about TRUST (regardless of the domain):

It’s volatile.

It’s easily lost and hard to regain.

It holds a lot of power.

It is to be cherished.

You either have it or you don’t.

It is NOT blind, despite the saying… or is it, “LOVE is blind”? For what it’s worth, I don’t believe love is blind either. :) Either way, it’s not blind.

Communication, or transparency earns, maintains, and rebuilds trust.

People trust the people they can relate to… vulnerability.

In a real war we’re asked, actually required to trust our leaders in battle, we’re meant not to question them, to follow orders, to bear arms, we’re asked to trust unconditionally. We are asked, actually demanded to trust blindly. But how sustainable is that in a corporate environment, in a relationship, or as a parent/teenager? I would argue, it is NOT.

The truth is, most of us demand that trust be earned. I would imagine that different people have different currency for trust. Mine is open, honest communication, and vulnerability.

People want to follow people they trust. Demanding trust gets the job done, but there is an element of fear in that, and fear is not sustainable. Fear is a short-term fix.

Would you rather work with people you know have your back, are like you, are open and honest with you, or would you rather work with people who are tyrants.

If you’re a leader of others… I dare you to look in the mirror.