My father said there were two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers. The takers may eat better, but the givers sleep better. Marlo Thomas
Yesterday I wrote about the importance of “being first in” when building trust.
Today’s blog is about staying to the right.
I divide the people I know according to a mental “trust chart” with a line drawn vertically down the middle.
The left side is called Wanters/Takers.
The right side is called Helpers/Givers.
The list of names to the left is much longer than the list to the right.
I don’t have a special category for those who claim they are givers, but are really takers in disguise. I just move them over to the left.
I’m baffled when people say “How can I help you?” when what they really mean is “How can you help me?”
The people on the left don’t understand the incremental steps that must be taken to build trust. They haven’t quite mastered the “character” component. In fact, it’s very likely that the people on the left aren’t interested in trust at all. They may just be short-term opportunists looking to seize a moment, not to build a relationship.
The people on the right want to build trust and they are the ones that matter. It’s amazing what happens in the world of trust when two helpers/givers get together. They understand the long-term strategic advantage of the “we” over the “me.” They push boulders up hills.
On which side of the trust chart do you fall?
What will you do today to be moved to the right?
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.
Coming Soon!
Should you wish to communicate directly with Barbara, drop her a note at Barbara@trustacrossamerica.com
Copyright © 2014, Next Decade, Inc.
Recent Comments