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