Trust in the Balance: Building Successful Organizations on Results, Integrity, and Concern

We talk a lot about "trust" in my organization, but it's always in vague terms. You get the feeling that everyone has their own definition, which they assume everyone shares. This book breaks trust down into easily understood components, makes a bottom-line business case for improving your relationships in the workplace, and then helps you do just that. It focuses on behaviors, not motivations, and therefore gives you a framework for talking about trust without accusing or blaming. It's one of the most useful business books I've read in a long time.

Robert Bruce Shaw addresses an issue that is often either neglected or handled with bromides. To its credit, Shaw's book does not overpromise by announcing a magical ten day program to restore trust. Instead, it provides an interesting variety of examples and succinctly shows how the organizations that have succeeded in establishing high levels of trust differ from their less adept colleagues. While doing so, Shaw does not engage in preachy denunciations. The overall tone of the book emphasizes creating solutions rather than affixing blame. In that spirit, "Trust in the Balance" contains surveys of the key factors affecting trust in the workplace; surveys that can be easily used by the reader to spot problems in his or her organization. Each chapter has meaty analysis and specific guidance on the steps that should be taken to address particular trust problems. There is also a helpful "Trust-Building Resources" section in the back of the book.One is fortunate to glean one good idea from many business books. Shaw's book contains many excellent points and observations. Anyone seeking a no-nonsense analysis of how to handle the "trust issue" should read this book. It will be well worth your time.