Building Bridges or Building Walls??

                I once worked in an organization where people trusted one another. Where people told the truth, shared information, did not feel afraid of getting it wrong or being a failure. When people made mistakes, they were able to admit to them openly and ask for help. Managers were more interested in what lessons had been learned from mistakes than apportioning blame. Gossip and nastiness were uncommon. People could disagree or challenge each other, knowing that it was done with positive intent. People were open, the atmosphere was supportive, problems were solved easily, there was no need to read between the lines because you could rely on the fact that people communicated honestly and no one was ‘punished’ for speaking out. Because of this strong element of trust, people worked better and relationships – whether with customers, colleagues or suppliers – were stronger and more successful.

                 It sounds like a great place to work doesn’t it? The truth is, I have not worked in a place quite like this (in common with over 90 per cent of people that we surveyed). The story is not true. The question is, could it be? It may seem unrealistic or naïve to expect or even imagine that an organisation like the one described above could exist, but isn’t it about time we asked why this is the case, and whether it’s a situation that we want to continue?

                Trust is something that we become aware of at a very early age. What happens when we do not trust others in our place of work? The experience can be stressful because we have to watch what we say and do. We expend considerable energy managing how we are perceived, making sure we make alliances with the ‘right’ people and are seen to distance ourselves from the ‘wrong’ ones. This situation is not about captaincy and doing the right thing. At its extreme, it is about self-preservation and not doing the wrong thing. The effects for the organization can range from missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential to complete dishonesty and, in the case of corporations, damaged customer relationships, lost business, failed partnerships, corporate scandals and collapse.