Fri, September 25, 2009 - 5:10:51

Do You Trust Me?

If you’re currently in the market for a new job or aiming for a promotion, that’s exactly the question you should have in the back of your mind when dealing with others.  As Alexandra Levit writes in a recent Wall Street Journal article, in this turbulent economic climate, now more than ever, companies and coworkers are placing a greater emphasis on trust.  So, when looking to get ahead, it’s important to establish an air of trust with everyone around you.  And what better way to appear trustworthy than by harnessing one very powerful NICE principle: tell the truth.

As M.R. Covey, author of “The Speed of Trust” explains to Levit, trust isn’t just an important factor when creating a solid relationship with your coworkers, it’s also essential for the successful and efficient operation of an organization.  “Everything slows down in a company with low trust. You see an increase in bureaucracy and redundancy, and excess policies and procedures.”  That’s why, he continues, “organizations are becoming painfully aware of how expensive this is, and they are taking steps to become trusted players from the inside out.” So, it benefits everyone, including you, to be more truthful in your day to day communications at work.

And if you think “the truth hurts” don’t worry: you can spare people’s feelings without sparing them the truth simply by using the tried-and-true technique we call the “Yes Sandwich.”  For example, if you have something difficult to tell someone, begin with a positive statement, then make your truthful-yet-tough statement, and follow up with another positive truth.

Occasionally, there are times when “the truth and nothing but the truth” won’t win you any friends—we’ve all encountered those cringe-worthy “do you like my new neon leopard stirrup pants?” moments when a little fibbing is needed to protect someone else’s feelings— but by and large, being honest and accepting honesty from others is a sure-fire way to build a trustworthy reputation and a successful career.  And best of all, it’s easy.  As Mark Twain once wrote, “The best thing about telling the truth is you never have to think about what to say.”

Whether you’re a seasoned manager or a new graduate, living by the mantra that “honesty is the best policy” will inspire confidence from everyone around you because not only will they know they can come to you when they have something difficult to say, they’ll know that you have nothing to hide.

Posted by Linda and Robin