Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored. ~ Aldous Huxley
We all know someone who has suffered a health scare and subsequently chose to get healthy. A new diet, exercise program and education in stress reduction. While most times the outcome is a holistically healthier individual, the choice is only made in the face of a crisis.
Five years ago Trust Across America-Trust Around the World developed a framework for organizational trust called FACTS. It operates off the same principles as holistic health. Our theory is a simple one. Just like the human body, all it takes for organizational failure is one diseased organ.
The healthiest people I know don’t wait for a crisis to get healthy. They practice it proactively. And in our research of over 2000 companies spanning 5 years, the most trustworthy companies follow the same strategy. Rather than reacting to a crisis, they build trust into their DNA. The healthy individual enjoys a longer and higher quality of life, and the trustworthy company has greater profitability and longer-term sustainability. And while most people do not practice health proactively, neither do most companies.
Why not? As a CEO told me the other evening over a glass of wine, “I like that word trust. I never considered it as a business strategy.”
Don’t wait for the next crisis to get healthy. Build trust into your business agenda, and practice it proactively. If you don’t know how, we can help.
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.
I totally agree with your perspective. Just like individuals, the organizations most in need of help are least likely to seek it until they can no longer deny that the walls are falling down and they have no other choice. Sadly, by the time people and organizations opt to take remedial action, it is often too late. Healthy people and healthy organizations do not hesitate to invest in maintaining healthy practices.