Late last year Trust Across America-Trust Around the World published the first in a planned series of award-winning books. TRUST INC., Strategies for Building Your Company’s Most Valuable Asset brings together the wisdom of 32 experts. Six months later we released our second book, Trust Inc. A Guide for Boards & C-Suites. In this book, sixty experts have joined forces to offer 100 strategies.
Throughout the month of August, we will be featuring 31 essays from our second book. Each stands alone as an excellent resource in guiding Boards and C-Suites on driving a trust agenda at the highest level in the organization, and provides tools for those who choose to implement trust-building programs in their organization.
This twenty-eighth essay brings advice from Matthew T. Fritz, a leader and mentor in the field of complex organizational change, emotional intelligence, and organization strategy. A successful DoD senior-acquisition program manager and test leader, Matt is a 20-year active duty Field-Grade Officer and pilot with command-experience in the United States Air Force. Matt is also a certified acquisition professional, as well as a certified Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. You can learn more about Matthew Fritz on his personal blog at AdvancedVectors.com
Trust Is Built Upon Shadows
Each of us is prone to believing our own legend, and as a result, must be aware of the shadows we cast. As can be observed when standing close to the fire, the further we move away from the light—the longer our shadow grows. Self-Awareness is the fire of knowledge burning brightly inside all of us. As we let our ego drive us further away from the fire, our shadow lengthens accordingly.
As the leader, you cast your shadow and light over your Team each day, and your Teammates take on the traits you impart upon them. As we demonstrate in our senior-military culture, a leader’s own actions and behavior shape the culture of their teammates more than any processes, hierarchy or manner of communicating. As the leader, you have the responsibility to create a culture that models and encourages trust.
Leaders have a responsibility to avoid a fate similar to that of Napoleon—for themselves and their Team. Be aware of your shadow and develop your ability to cast light in your environment. Better yet, find people in your life you can trust
to provide honest feedback and help you manage your shadow. Shadow-managers point you back to the light and stoke your fire to burn brighter. Be true to yourself and your integrity . . . it’s simpler than you think. Avoid the trap of believing in your own legend. Waterloo awaits those who fail in this pursuit!
I hope you have enjoyed this next sneak peak into our second book. If this brief look behind the door has been helpful, follow this link to order both of our books online.
August 1: There’s a Reason Why We Call Them Trustees explains why being an “absentee landlord” doesn’t work.
August 2: Kill the Evening Before Dinner and take a small group of front line employees to dinner instead.
August 3: In Head of Business- Hope for the World we introduce the Winston “V” Model.
August 4: Reputation vs. Trust and why leaders should care more about the latter.
August 5: C-Suite Must Speak With a V.O.I.C.E. of Trust, a new communications model.
August 6: It Ain’t What You Do (It’s the Way You Do It) discusses an organization’s core values and traits.
August 7: Superficial CEOs and Their Boards talks about the fiduciary responsibility of board members.
August 8: Headline: Be the Leaders Others Will Follow we learn about consistency between actions and words.
August 9: Towards a Mindset for Corporate Responsibility requiring a shift in mindset on the part of boards.
August 10: Warning: Don’t Drown in the Slogan Swamp explores the (mis)use of slogans in corporate America.
August 11: Trust in the Boardroom in creating competitive advantage.
August 12: Three Ways to Build Trust and organization that are blind to the dialogue.
August 13: Lead from the Front explains why it’s important to remove the filters between leaders and employees.
August 14: Building Trust For Boards & C-Suites and why published scientific evidence is important.
August 15: (Trust) Communication & the Hiring Process discusses engaging employees in the decision.
August 16: CEO Tip: Trust Your Board as Your Ally emphasizes the importance of trusting partnerships.
August 17: The Culture is the Secret Sauce that must bubble down from the Boardroom to the Mailroom.
August 18: Trust & Strategy Thinking reminds us that it is hard to trust when you cannot relate.
August 19: Be Proactive About Trust & Integrity: just handling problems as they arise is not enough.
August 20: Trust Traps reminds us to ask the tough questions.
August 21: Trust Danger Signs and the need for synergy between the Board and Senior Managers.
August 22: Trust & Public Rewards reminds us to publicly acknowledge and reward staff.
August 23: The Cost of Mistrust and 8 ways to develop it.
August 24: Forward-Thinking Boards Build Trust and will commit to lighthouse leadership and employee engagement.
August 25: When Trust Breaks Down: 5 Steps You Can Take to rebuild it.
August 26: The Key To Trust in the C-Suite is safety, but how do we create it?
August 27: Lead With Integrity & Character reminds us to start with integrity.
Barbara Brooks Kimmel is the Executive Director of Trust Across America-Trust Around the World whose mission is to help organizations build trust. She is also the editor of the award winning TRUST INC. book series. In 2012 Barbara was named “One of 25 Women Changing the World” by Good Business International.
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Should you wish to communicate directly with Barbara, drop her a note at Barbara@trustacrossamerica.com
Copyright © 2014, Next Decade, Inc.
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