3 minute read
Jeepney Press / Arnel Sugay
Why Trust is Important
George, not his real name, asked me, “Tell me the truth. I want your honest feedback. How do you find my attitude?”
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“What do you mean, George?” I asked.
“Well, nobody likes me in my department,” exclaimed George.
I have known George since I started working in my first job. I suggested that he evaluates his relationship and trust level within his team. If the trust level is low, then this should give him an idea on what is happening between him and his team mates.
Be it personal or professional, trust is a foundation of all relationships. It can take years to build it, but it can be destroyed in seconds.
In the article “The Neuroscience of Trust” by Paul J. Zak, the writer discussed the benefits of high trust in organization. Research shows the following: • 74% less stress • 106% more energy • 50% higher productivity • 13% fewer sick days • 76% more engagement • 29% more satisfaction with their lives • 40% less burn out or work with the following behaviors: not apologizing when a mistake is made, not giving undivided attention during a conversation, bad mouthing a co-worker when they are not present and not delivering what you promised.
Before we attempt to improve the trust level at home or in your department, we need to make an inventory on the amount of trust in a relationship. Ask yourself, are my behaviors a bucket filler or a bucket dipper? If the trust level is low, what do you need to do to improve trust? What have you shown to the people around you? Is the trust level okay or is it depleted?
The good thing about trusting a person is that the act itself will be reciprocated. Many years ago, I read from travel magazines and blogs about the Honesty Store in Ivana, Batanes. The last book that I have read on trust mentioned the store, too. I finally made a decision that I should visit Batanes and personally experience the now famous Honesty Store.
At Honesty Store, no one is attending the store. You get an item you like and leave your money and get your change if needed. Or you can knock on the next door for a change. In this part of Batanes, you can leave your front door open. Crime is almost unheard of.
At this day and age where trust is needed, it is a sigh of relief that is possible to trust and extend the trust to others. It may not be an easy task to do but with the intention and grit, one can create a family or village of men and women who can trust one another.
I was sharing the idea of improving trust to some work associates. I likened the idea to two buckets. I asked my associates to imagine an invisible dipper. When we add water to a bucket we are a bucket filer. When we remove water from the bucket we are a bucket dipper.
Bucket Fillers are adding trust in a relationship while Bucket Dippers are removing trust. How? The small things that we do may add or subtract the trust level in a bucket.
To build on trust, Bucket Fillers do the following: show kindness, exhibit patience, keep promises, clarify expectations and apologize sincerely.
Bucket Dippers reduce the amount of trust at home
- Warren Buffet
ARNEL SUGAY
Jeepney Press
