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.
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