The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything

Trust may be the missing ingredient for the relational management model to succeed, but Trust (confidence + credibility) is an outcome, not an input. To get a Trust outcome requires the right inputs and in this book, the next generation's spokesperson for the Covey dynasty, Stephen M. R. Covey, tells us what trust means as well as provides plenty of examples of how important trust is when it comes to delivering business performance. M.R. uses the "ripple effect" metaphor with Self at the center and waves rippling from the inside out to describe the "5 Waves of Trust." Using this metaphor, the first trust wave is Self-Trust (credibility driven), then comes the Relationship-Trust (consistent behavior driven) wave, an Organizational-Trust (alignment driven) wave, a Market-Trust (reputation driven) wave, and finally a Societal-Trust (giving back or contribution driven) wave. Staying with the emphasis on managing `Self' first, Covey then provides the substance of the Self-Trust wave; the 4 cores of Credibility - integrity, intent, capability, and results. For the Relationship-Trust wave he identifies 13 critical behaviors. With the remaining trust waves, the dialogue continues the book's main theme - understanding the cost of mistrust and the value of trust - as it discusses organizational alignment, market reputation, and societal contribution. As M.R. says, "the dividends of trust can significantly enhance the quality of every relationship on every level of your life". If you doubt that, read this book. Dennis DeWilde, author of "The Performance Connection"

Stephen M.R. Covey is the son of the famous Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Not surprisingly, many of his father's themes are interwoven throughout this book. Covey maintains that "Nothing is as fast as the speed of trust," meaning nothing can accelerate a transaction, a task, or project of any kind like trust. For instance, when there is a high level of trust between parties in a business transaction, deals can be made in minutes with a handshake. Not only does trust make things faster, it simply makes every aspect of our lives better. To use another business example, a high level of trust between an organization's members promotes innovation, generates productivity, and results in cost savings. Trust "changes everything." It's not just a touchy-feely concept. Covey gives statistics to back it up. Covey explains that trust is a function of character and competence. He further breaks these components down into "4 Cores of Credibility" - integrity, intent, capabilities, and results. He also outlines 13 Behaviors that generate trust. The Cores and Behaviors "are the tools that establish or maintain trust in every context." Similar to the 7 Habits, it all starts with the individual - i.e. self trust. Trust then can extend or ripple an additional 4 waves - to relationship trust, organizational trust, market trust, and societal trust. Covey gives tips for how to develop trust at each wave, resulting in increasingly remarkable outcomes. After reading the book, you will believe that, "prioritizing trust - actively seek to establish it, grow it, restore it, and wisely extend it - will bring personal and organizational dividends that far exceed any other path." Although it has value for everyone, this book is especially helpful and important reading for those in leadership positions. Nick McCormick - Author, Lead Well and Prosper

We all read books through our own lens. As a coach and consultant to boards of directors, I see The Speed of Trust as essential reading for any leader on any board. Whatever the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and all the other rules and checklists may hope to impose, the fundamental input for effective boards is TRUST. I call it the "currency of the boardroom". Stephen has taken what is often passed off as "airy-fairy" and made it both tangible and accessible. His superb examples and illustrations from real life help the reader quickly see the empirical evidence that trust truly speeds up everything. Trust saves time -- Trust saves money. Even more, he has identified, explained, and elaborated on 13 behaviors that enable anyone to establish and enhance trust in any relationship. Building on the legacy that his father has built, the younger Covey gives us all solid advice and important tools to live lives of character. And while many of us may buy this book with the hopes of helping our professional lives, it will immediately impact our personal lives. You'll want everyone close to you to read it, too. I've already given out several copies!

There is no one more qualified to write this book that Stephen M.R. Covey. Stephen presided over a company during one of the most tumultuous times it faced, and faced everything he was presented with in precisely the way he advocates in this book. In this book he lays out the theoretical foundation for a thriving organization and a properous community. He argues persuasively and offers strong evidence--for how trust dramatically affects results of every kind. But he thankfully goes further--from his own experience and his careful study he offers a roadmap for how to create abundant trust in ourselves, our relationships and our workplaces. I predict that this book will be THE seminal reference on trust for the next century. Read this book and you'll know precisely what you need to do to solve most any chronic problem you face. Follow Stephen's counsel, and you'll find prosperity and happiness unavailable in any other way.

Every once in a while a book is published that shifts paradigms and instigates a pervasive buzz around the workplace. As a consultant, I know which books these are because they are on the shelf of every client I visit. I predict this book on trust will become a paradigm shifter. Covey makes the issue of trust a hard science that impacts everything, including the bottom-line. And the book is fun to read....lots of stories, business examples, personal stories, and statistics. This is a five-star book that I highly recommend.