Trust Across America-Trust Around the World™

It’s Valentine’s Day, and I’m certainly not Dr. Ruth or an expert on interpersonal relationships, but I DO know a few things about trust. Whether interpersonal or organizational, low trust kills relationships.

According to Dr. Robert Glover

By nature women are security seeking creatures. Therefore, trust is everything and if you mess with a woman’s sense of trust, you also mess with her lust.

So on this Valentine’s Day 2015, I offer men (and women) around the world 6 simple ways to build trust (and sex) back into their relationships.

• Have integrity. Tell the truth, not just when it’s convenient but all the time. In other words, “Man up” even if you did something wrong.
• Be accountable by doing what you say you will do.
• Be consistent in your words and actions.
• Walk your talk. Don’t say “I care” without showing her you REALLY do.
• Be proactive. Do something nice without being asked.
• And finally, don’t forget the occasional “non-holiday” gift. It doesn’t need to be large or expensive, just make it meaningful and thoughtful, and a small sign that you know something about your “significant other” and that they exist.

Keep in mind that trust is built in incremental steps over time, and trust violations lengthen the process of (re)building it.

As Seth Godin said in his daily blog post today, Roses, chocolates and greeting cards are a stand-in for actual human emotions, a stand-in for caring and respect and love. But of course, it’s way easier to make the expense on chocolate go up than it is to actually care more.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Barbara Brooks Kimmel is the Executive Director of Trust Across America-Trust Around the World whose mission is to help organizations build trust. She runs the world’s largest membership program for those interested in learning more, and is also the editor of the award winning TRUST INC. book series and the Executive Editor of TRUST! Magazine. In 2012 Barbara was named “One of 25 Women Changing the World” by Good Business International.

Our 2015 Poster, 52 Weeks of Activities to Increase Organizational Trust is available to those who would like to support our work by making a small donation.

Copyright 2015, Next Decade, Inc.

Did you read Seth Godin’s blog post today? It’s called The Annual Plan Construction Set. It reminds me of the “artist” who chooses the “paint by numbers” option over a blank canvas. Companies opt for “safe” over “trust” more often than not.  “Safe” should not be confused with safety.  Safe is more like paint by numbers, quick and easy. Trust is the blank canvas, slower and more difficult. At the end of the day, “what the artist puts in is what he gets out” and trust trumps safe.

Some surefire clues that, like most, your company has chosen “safe.”

1. The CEO makes an annual appearance at the holiday party only, because he/she spends most of the time putting out fires.
2. The company credo is merely something written on a wall, but never discussed.
3. The compliance/legal department is the largest, and EVERYTHING must be cleared.
4. Innovation is nonexistent.
5. Employee turnover is high and engagement is low.
6. Decision-making is very slow.

Trust starts at the top. It’s risky because it takes time and is built in incremental steps. Sometimes a temporary dip in profitability occurs. But companies that build trust into their DNA are often those whose annual report does NOT scream “safe.” The pages are filled with candor because the CEO has the secret sauce that trumps competitors. The choice has been made to invest in trust, and it has paid off.

As Seth Godin says, “vague is safe, and no one ever got in trouble for failing to meet a vague plan.” What’s your leader’s plan? Trust or safe?

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 and the Executive Editor of TRUST! Magazine. In 2012 Barbara was named “One of 25 Women Changing the World” by Good Business International.

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Copyright 2014 Next Decade, Inc.

“When a business that’s comfortable not having 100% market share happily recommends a competitor, they’re sending a signal about trust and confidence and most of all, about feeding the community first.” This is a quote from a recent Seth Godin blog post.

If you are an entrepreneur, small business owner or consultant interested in building trust, ask yourself these two questions:

Do I spend all of my time promoting myself only?

If your answer is “yes”, I can almost assure you that this strategy may work in the short-term, but will present serious challenges long-term. It  shows low self-confidence, an unwillingness to share and learn, and you will potentially bust trust with those you view (right or wrong) as competition.

Do I spend some of my time recommending others in my professional community who may have more targeted experience, resources or products, and will do a better job than I can?

If your answer is “yes,” you understand that trust is reciprocal and you are willing to take a “risk” that may pay off and lead to longer-term success. If we want to help ideas spread, if we want to change the world, we must do it together. Park your self-interest (along with your ego) at the door and try collaboration instead. The payoff may not be as quick and easy but the long-term rewards will be well worth it.

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 and the Executive Editor of TRUST! Magazine. In 2012 Barbara was named “One of 25 Women Changing the World” by Good Business International.

Should you wish to communicate directly with Barbara, drop her a note at Barbara@trustacrossamerica.com

Copyright © 2014, Next Decade, Inc.