WEEKLY WISDOM - TRUST

Trust: firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

This is probably one of the most difficult letters to write as I take this seriously and want to do the word justice. This is one of the weightiest words we experience in our lives as it revolves around our relationships. Relationships are fragile and we can be one decision away from fracturing them due to a violation of trust.

This word crisscrosses in our professional and personal lives and our mode of operation comes from the implicit meaning of this word.

Let’s review some of the commitments we have made in life where trust is the foundational virtue of the relationship. “You’re hired” as the hiring manager trusts that you will be a loyal and effective contributor to the organization and the team. “You’ve got a deal” as the partner trusts that you will honor your word in partnership to bring prosperity for the both of you. “I do” as your new spouse trusts that your relationship will endure the test of times until death. “I accept” as the board or non-profit organization trusts that you will use your gifts, talent, and wisdom to make an impact on the organization.

So, when is trust broken? When you are not honest about your dealings with the company you work for; you do not honor your part of the partnership for selfish gain; you break the covenant with your spouse through a moral failure; you are not actively engaged with the board after you made the commitment.

Once that trust is broken, it is extremely hard to rebuild as the person that has been negatively impacted has this doubt looming in their head and heart. Repairing trust is more difficult than some are willing to go through and it seems easier to bow out of the situation and not address the issue that leads to reconciliation.

One of the most beautiful and strong biblical stories of trust in the Bible is that between Jonathan and David. Quick snippet is that Jonathan’s dad, the king, was looking to kill David because he was angry and jealous of David’s success and notoriety. Because of the trusted brotherhood between Jonathan and David, they took an oath of friendship. There was so much drama in this story with Saul, but Jonathan stayed true to his oath with David despite his father’s selfishness and rage. You can read the story in 1st Samuel chapters 18-20.

Early in life I experienced the breaking of trust with an organization which I served as the trusted confidant with their funds. I was not a good steward as I was mixing their funds with my personal funds. I was also borrowing from the entrusted funds promising to replace them later. Well as you can guess, that did not work out in the least bit of good for me. I had to always look for an answer that was not honest when making the report. My conscious was eating me up on the inside. My reputation was on the line as I was building my brand. It became too much for me personally, so I confessed to the organization and gave up the responsibility as well as paid back all the money once we reconciled. This was the most difficult but best situation that happened to me. It made me commit to the seriousness of trust in every area of my life.

Trust as a leadership asset is one that is to be taken seriously as it will shine a light on your character and integrity in all situations.

(ENGAGEMENT)

Exercise Your Power this week 

1.  Determine who your most trusted persons are in your career and in your personal life and why?

2.       Have a conversation with each of these persons to let them know the role they play in your life.

3.       Identify who you need to build trust with and the strategy you will use to get there.