ROCKS AND STONES - Part Two

Do you trust your CEO?

I recently read an interesting article on the Fast Company website that ranks how people trust. In 2009, 47% of the people surveyed trusted people like themselves while 31% of the people surveyed trusted CEOs. In 2011, the survey states that 43% of respondents trusted people like themselves while 50% said they trusted CEOs. Why the change? You would think, with all the upheavals our country has been through over the last few years, that people would have less trust in their corporate leaders.

Other than CEOs who make news because of bad behavior, perhaps, as we leave the recession behind, CEOs are trying harder to make sure their employees, their customers, and their vendors do trust them. Because, where there's trust, there is loyalty. Where there are strong values and a moral code, there is a sense of belonging. And belonging builds a sense of family.

Trust and a sense of family is the foundation that Shamrock is built on. It's why we offer each person who comes to work with us a stone, which represents a piece of "the rock". We're passing along our values, with a positive message engraved in that stone. Each message represents a code that says we're committed to treating every person with respect and building trust through actions, not mere words.

Trust is an important concept for businesses and business leaders.  How do you build trust? 

   1. Don’t lie -- ever. It breaks trust as quickly as a rusty chain breaks under pressure.

   2. Admit when you are wrong. It reinforces your humanity.

   3. Be consistent. Never waver on a decision.

   4. Support your people. Always.

   5. Communicate. Then, communicate again. Mistrust thrives on miscommunication.

I'll bet you could read these same "management tips" in a family parenting magazine. Because, after all, isn't a well-managed company a lot like a family?

ONE LAST THOUGHT

Think about this: There is no "i" in "us".

One thing that holds true for most families is how they support one another through life's ups and downs. They talk about the problem, share ideas, and focus on ways to find a solution. And they emerge stronger for their effort. Like little stones gathered together to form the strength of a rock, like a family, the people at Shamrock work together as a team -- and we can find a solution to any problem, for ourselves and for our customers.