Trust in the Time of Cholera

OK, so this isn't really about cholera. This past weekend, I was watching the movie Love in the Time of Cholera (a darn good version of the book by Gabriel Garcia Marquez), and the title seemed to fit because this is about trust, specifically trust during difficult times.  As the pressures mount, understanding the importance of trust and how to achieve it in your surroundings becomes a more difficult task but more critical than ever.

Trust is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in the workplace.  It's written about, surveyed whenever possible, and the subject of a whole lot of pontification.  Before I post, I always search the internet universe as a gut check on what I'm writing about; it's a sure-fire way to determine if I'm just dredging up the same old, same old as well as to check for perspectives.  On the topic of trust, I wasn't disappointed by what I consistently saw...and this is how I disagree:

Focus more on trusting and less on being trusted.  There is an extreme preoccupation with gaining trust, building trust, keeping trust; however, how often do we reflect on if we trust?  Not until we overcome our own mistrust do we have a chance at becoming trustworthy. 

It's harder than it seems.
Fear, competition, ego, the need to fit in all interfere with our ability to trust.  What we know is possible in ourselves is often what we expect out of others.  How often do you walk out of a meeting and immediately gather to criticize the facilitator?  When you're out with coworkers, how often does the conversation turn to the last person who left?  Do you find subtle ways to trash your boss or squash an opportunity for that eager new employee?

Trust in the workplace isn't the same as trust in your personal life. Don't get me wrong, I have very dear coworkers who I would call in a time of need, tell my innermost secrets to, and run to their side whenever they called, but that's not the type of trust to expect or necessarily seek out at work.  Unless you believe that you can fill your team and your organization with your friends or that you can hand pick your boss, this type of trust isn't realistic. 

But it is the same.
Trust at work is based in honesty, consistency, respect, and all those good things written about and that reside in the definition.  But, there are hard decisions to be made, financials to worry about, evaluations to be given, and expecting trust at work to equal undying devotion, protection, and all things being 'fair' will mislead and disappoint.

As we get leaner and more is asked of each of us, there is no disagreement that a foundation of trust is necessary to build and maintain successful teams, organizations, and companies.  Going beyond a concept often takes some mighty self reflection and self challenging, so for this week it's basic:

• Identify who you trust and why you trust them (you'll be surprised...)

• Eliminate one 'trust buster' a day (give that meeting facilitator the direct feedback)

Oh, and I trust that you will comment on this post!