Saturday, September 21, 2024

The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey (2006)

Some folks at work suggested this book so I picked it up and read it.  The over-hyped rhetoric and constant aphorisms are an embarrassing distraction from the key points that are quite good.  Here is my summary:
  • Trust among individuals and teams affects speed and costs.
  • Five "waves" of trust: 
    • self trust, 
    • relationship trust, 
    • organizational trust, 
    • market trust, and 
    • societal trust.
  • Trust is based on character (integrity and intent) and competence (capabilities and results).
  • There are 13 key behaviors that build trust: Talk Straight, Demonstrate Respect, Create Transparency, Right Wrongs, Show Loyalty, Deliver Results, Get Better, Confront Reality, Clarify Expectations, Practice Accountability, Listen First, Keep Commitments, Extend Trust.
  • Low trust creates a "trust tax" that slows everything down and increases costs. High trust creates a "trust dividend" that speeds things up and reduces costs.
  • Trust can be built quickly through consistent behavior and delivering results. It can also be restored if lost.
  • Extending "smart trust" balances trusting others with good judgment about risks.
  • Building trust is a key leadership competency
The book is in six parts:
  • Part 1 - The First Wave: Self Trust: Covers the "4 Cores of Credibility": Integrity, Intent, Capabilities, Results
  • Part 2 - The Second Wave: Relationship Trust: Explains the 13 behaviors that build trust in relationships
  • Part 3 - The Third Wave: Organizational Trust: How to create trust in organizations through alignment
  • Part 4 - The Fourth Wave: Market Trust: Building trust and reputation in the marketplace
  • Part 5 - The Fifth Wave: Societal Trust  
  • Creating value and contributing to society
  • Part 6 - Inspiring Trust: How to extend "smart trust" and restore lost trust
The ideas are worthwhile but wading through the hype is painful. 4/5 Stars.

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