Trust: The Key to Owning a Successful Business

I was listening today to a young business leader who was upset by the cynicism of the people that she encounters in her line of work.

The cynicism she spoke of is very disappointing.

In a business solely focused on "What’s in it for me?" there is often a tendency to expect to get something for nothing. There is also quite often a lack of responsibility and accountability for the choices being made and the actions being taken.

Where there is a business culture of blaming others, making excuses and covering one's backside, we come to expect such cynicism, and it all paints a pretty bleak picture.

How do we ensure that our business does not get caught up in this malaise?

Having a clear sense of our values and what we stand for in business is so critical in engendering trust with our employees, customers and anyone else who comes into contact with us.

The loss of trust comes at a huge cost, both financially and socially. The value-based, ethical business is something very much worth aspiring to.

Trust is the foundation on which all successful and effective business relationships are built.

A great book on this subject, at the personal-effectiveness level, is The Speed of Trust, by Stephen M R Covey.