Trust: The Name of the Game

Trust has many forms, it can be a handshake, it can be a logo, it can be a name, it can be a color, it can be a person, and so much more.  The trouble seems to be that trust has deteriorated over the last couple of decades.  For example, a handshake does not mean the same thing today as it did 20 years ago.  So how can a person, or a company, develop trust?

I recently came across some information presented by Stephen Covey.  Mr. Covey presented on the thirteen (13) behaviors of High Trust, in no particular order (i.e. the best 13 behaviors to build trust):

1. Talk straight
2. Demonstrate respect
3. Create transparency
4. Right wrongs
5. Show loyalty
6. Deliver results
7. Get better
8. Confront reality
9. Clarify expectations
10. Practice accountability
11. Listen first
12. Keep Commitments
13. Extend trust

Taking a quick look at the thirteen (13) behaviors above, we can quickly see where trust has deteriorated over the years.  A recent example can be found in our US government and local legislations (no disrespect), where transparency and lack of honoring commitments has become normal practice.  Mr. Covey describes the benefits of High Trust, and the Trust Dividend in an economic sense verses the Trust Tax:

Trust Dividend is when Trust(+) is positive, this translates to Quicker Operations(+), and Lower Costs(-).

Trust Tax is when Trust(-) is negative, which results in Slower Operations(-), and Higher Costs(+).

I hope that you can use these tools that I shared with you from Mr. Covey to build high trust relationships with your friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, business partners, customers, and all of the relationships that you encounter through your life.  I hope that you can continually build your trust dividends.

Scott

Walking On Fire

Last week I attended the Anthony Robbins seminar in Los Angeles.  One of the activities of the seminar was to overcome the impossible and walk on red hot coals. The experience was unlike any other, and I feel that the symbolism of the act was enormous.  If you can walk on fire what can't you do next!  Let me ask you, and share with you my experience ... 


For nearly three hours the Anthony Robbins Company was burning wood to generate red hot coals.  Later, these newly formed coals would be beneath my feet and I would be celebrating with comrades.  The heat of these coals was compared to a burning hot stove, such as the one that you have burned your finger on once before.  The fear and excitement were intermingled as I approached the burning walk way, but the excitement ultimately overcame the fear, and perhaps the fear fueled the excitement.  I walked across and the message was clear, what fears hold us back from accomplishing the impossible?  We have so much to lose that we focus on the fear of losing it all instead of channeling the fear into excitement and energy to achieve our wildest dreams.


Have you ever walked on fire?  What were your thoughts?  


Scott