Being Trustworthy
I’m reading a book by Stephen M.R. Covey, son of Stephen Covey (The Seven Habits guy). The book is titled The Speed of Trust.
Mr. Covey shares this formula to demonstrate how a high trust organizational culture will result in faster execution of strategies and lower cost: Trust = Speed = Cost
As Trust goes up, the Speed of execution goes up, and the Cost goes down. The inverse is true. If there is a lack of trust in an organization, the speed to execute strategy goes down and the cost goes up. One question you should ask is “how is trust defined.” Trust is afforded someone who has character and competence. In other words, we trust people who have integrity, are truthful, live what they preach (character) and produce results (competence). You might question including competence in how trust is defined. Let me help by giving a personal example.
Many years ago my wife needed back surgery. Her surgery required the skill of a neurosurgeon. While I was concerned that the surgeon was a good man, I was equally concerned that he was a good surgeon. I needed to know that I could trust this man cutting into my wife’s back. I asked a lot of questions about his experience and past surgeries to build my trust.
What’s the take away for you and me? First, if we want to be trusted, we must consistently live out values like integrity and honesty. Second, we must develop competency in the area God has called us to work. Regarding the former, put integrity and honesty before anything else. Tell the truth, even if it costs you. Regard the latter, be a lifelong learner. If you are working in major gift development, read and study all you can about how to cultivate donor relationships. Hire someone to coach you and your development team if necessary. If you are a manager, read the latest and most highly recommended books on leadership, then put the principles into practice (check out a book I just finished titled “The Art of Engagement”).
Someone asked me why I don’t just write about marketing or fundraising? What does this management and organizational culture stuff have to do with raising money? I do write and teach on these subjects. However, I know that unless we work at creating a culture of trust in our organizations we will never achieve all that God has intended for us.
