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Virtually any business, organization, culture, or civilization relies on "Trust" to evolve. 2008 was the year trust evaporated. We experienced the leadership flaws of business, from the "tin ear" of major banks, Bernie Maddoff, and CEO's of auto companies. Trust was strained, and then gone. The global economy collapsed in part because a near gluttoness appetite for exotic financial instruments. The collapse of trust accelerated as we learned the lapse of Federal Regulators to anticipate problems and protect citizens. Did we expect protection by our government? Those protections largely missed the mark to anticipate. Citizen anger and frustration with business leaders was only the tip of the iceberg. In December 2009, the Underwear terrorist bomber attempted explosion of a U.S. airliner over Detroit, appears another inexcusable lapse in government. Why haven't dots been connected? Dreaded distrust screams from the lungs of citizens with 65% Congressional disapproval ratings of elected Congress leaders. Trust evaporated in 2008... and the ugly viral explosion is the single blocker form organizational success in these times. Strategic planning, energizing web programs, new vision statements have limited hope without a carefully constructed foundation of core values... beginning with trust. Tips to establish trust. 1. Trust is a human emotion. Each of us measures it with instinct...how our "gut" feels. Emotions are real, powerful and are not casually measured with return on assets or profit. If it feels it's gone...it likely is. 2. Assess the trust level with the same diligence and care of creating intricate strategic plans. Assessing the trust level understands the personal emotions, fears, and experiences which define their perception of trust. 3. The best antidote is an honest, unique process to engage all the employees of the organization. If you're in direct sales and marketing, you'll want to rethink your prospecting and direct call program. Put yourself in the shoes of the customer...the past 24 months have likely conditioned them to "Distrust" business. Maybe they've lost money in their 401K, or have difficulty getting a loan, or have a close friend or family member who now ranks in the nearly 20% unemployed. You are in a new normal. Adjust your beliefs. Establishing trust begins when the other sincerly feels you care about them. If you're marketing a product or service...your highest priority is reaching out to prospects and customers to understand what's happening in their business, what are their most pressing worries, what's different today? And, an honest soulful question...if life were perfect, what 3 things would they want changed? The rules have changed. Nearly 66% of the nations workers are disengaged in their jobs...perhaps the 66% is an indicator how customers or prospects feel. Disengaged...in part because their trust was violated. Honest engagement can restore trust.
The restoration may well be a long hard committment to honest, open and respectful engagement with employees and customers.
http://lighthouse-leadership.com
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