Got Trust?

Trust seems to be one of those things that we know when we have it (or don’t have it), but we may not know how we got it (or how to get it). Let me suggest that the focal point of trust is the sharing of information. Whether and how we share information is the foundation for building trust and trusting relationships. Building trust is a step-wise function – it happens in steps, one at a time. Someone must be willing to, as Martin Luther King said, “take the first step in faith” (by sharing information). Then perhaps the most critical part of building trust takes place – another person recognizes that a step has been taken and then takes another step (by sharing information). Lather, rinse, repeat.

Slowly at first, step by step, we move toward each other as we see what the other person has done with the information we have shared. Sometimes this might come in the form of compromise, meeting in the middle, developing a shared understanding, or even agreeing to disagree. Whatever we call it, it is a person-to-person activity that results in a person-to-person relationship, good or bad, and our next interaction (today or tomorrow’s) and what we say or do will make the relationship better or worse. Relationships, situations, and circumstances, good or bad, seldom remain unchanged by our communications with others – they grow – closer, or further apart.

We know from our Finance and Administrative Services Values Statement that one of our core values is Trust – “we communicate honestly, share information, and follow through on our commitments.” Recall that our core values “define who we are and how we do business, guide our actions, and set our direction.”

In our FAS Leadership Culture, we further describe the elements of Trust that are the foundation of our culture and affirm our future:
Be forthcoming with information and engage in honest conversations
Foster trust and engagement through effective and timely communication that articulates a focus on the future
Embrace constructive criticism; disarm negative criticism and gossip; know the difference
Treat all information with integrity, especially information that relates to employees or those topics that could be politically sensitive
Share pertinent information and observations with colleagues at all levels in all divisions, and avoid surprises

We can see that how we share information is vital to building trust – we must do so honestly, timely, constructively, and with integrity in a future focused manner, regardless of someone’s position or role. While we might think that holding onto information gives us power and influence, the truth is quite the opposite – information has no power, or influence, or even value until we give it away. Most importantly and inspiringly, we have opportunities to do this well every single day.

So, take the opportunity, go ahead and reach out, take that first step toward someone – and do it today.