When it comes to trust—How do people see you? How do you view yourself? Are you a trust booster or a trust buster?
Today, trust is a critical element in the workplace, whether it is an email, a tweet, one-on-one, in the classroom or in a staff meeting. I have done my share of trust busting in my career. I have learned over time, how to become more conscious of trust from a leadership perspective, and how it literally radiates throughout the culture of an organization. It is an experience. It is a feeling. It is a sense. It can also be seen. It is balance. It is congruence. Trust can make a company. And, lack of trust can destroy one. Once broken, trust is challenging to rebuild and a company can spiral downward without an awareness of ways to rebuild.
It is sort of like the (perhaps overused analogy of the) tree that branches grow taller and is greener has a strong support, or root system. We can say this root system is trust. Without it, the tree wilts, branches die as does the tree eventually. Sometimes it happens so covertly and slow it is like a surprise attack and the tree’s defenses cannot respond. Trust is more than mere words. It is an experience and part of an enduring culture that creates a sustainable competitive advantage for organizations that nurture it’s growth.
In today’s multi-generational workforce, transforming paradigms that traditionally worked is essential. Companies taught late boomers, Gen X, Gen Y and millenials that their people are expendable. Loyalty left many organizations with the boomer’s 401K retirement funds. Well, it actually began 10 years before that with mass layoffs.
Paraphrasing another recent blog post, COMMUNICATION: Executives Telling the Whole Story? Or, is Part of the Story Enough? —one size does not fit all today in the workplace. Today, what works for one, does not work for all. If you do not have an issue with trust, then what are you doing to maintain it? Please share. I would like to know.
I have been certified as a consultant to facilitate programs called TrustWorks (a Ken Blanchard Company), which provides a 360 evaluation for trust on teams. The programs include Leader as Trust Builder, Self as Trust Builder and Building Organizational Trust. Work with people and organizations, I have discovered the most critical distinction to get is that trust truly begins within. At least for trust that sticks!
I have discovered I am more in integrity with the world when I have been in integrity with my body and mind first. Integrity with the world for me is defined as doing what I say I will do. I have consciously shifted from being a victim of this economy, to becoming part of the solution. I have realized, when I set multiple appointments or start something new, other “things, like ‘life’, can get in the way.” Life happens—thank goodness it does. But, some of these can test my resolve, my commitment. They could also impact my time management. Now, I have to say, I am a stickler for being on time. <OMG>
What it really comes down to at a more root level, is my integrity with myself. Once I discovered this a few years back, I made a conscious shift to invite the possibility of greater balance and congruence into my life. This shifted my level of self trust.
My balance includes exercising regularly. I have been a longtime member of 24 Hour Fitness but stopped going. A few months ago I started back with a personal trainer, at Fitness Together. I have 3 days of weights/light cardio and 2-3 days of heavy cardio. I focused on a healthier diet and have lost 9 pounds and added Juice Plus into my life which helps me to ensure I am getting enough fruits and vegetables in my diet. My brain is functioning with much greater clarity and who I am “being” has shifted.
This congruence, balance and self trust provide me inner strength and confidence. I can be stronger for the people that rely on me and trust me. So, I guess the bottom line is getting “right” with me is important so I can best support the people I love and lead. Trust begins inside.
