Trust Moves Fast(er)

In conversations with various people, I find it common for an overarching theme to involve trust. People often ask me what sources of information I trust, who do I trust, and, most importantly, why do I trust.

I don’t know if I made this up or read it somewhere, but there’s a statement I am known for repeating in conversations about trust, “Whatever you want to believe, you can go to the internet and find a group of people to confirm it is true.”

Do you believe the earth is flat? There’s a group for that. Do you believe Elvis is still alive? There’s a group for that. And so on… Should I trust random sources of information on the internet? Of course not!

I need to develop trust first.

Because we have so many sources of information at our fingertips, it is now more difficult than ever to know for certain what we know and believe is true. This dynamic can slow the pace of decision-making and taking action.

In this light, what is a person to do, especially if knowing the right answer has a lasting effect on you or others in your sphere?

A book by Stephen Covey, “The Speed of Trust,” provides a framework for sorting out this dilemma. The key idea is that aspects of your life can be improved if trust is at the core.

Here’s the kicker – It’s mostly my and your responsibility.

Let’s begin with self-trust. That’s right – the foundation of trusting others is first trusting yourself:

• Personal credibility
• Integrity
• Intentions
• Capabilities
• Results

Next is relationship trust – how to “behave yourself out” of situations you’ve “behaved yourself into”:

• Talk straight
• Demonstrate respect
• Create transparency
• Right wrongs
• Show loyalty
• Deliver results
• Get better
• Confront reality
• Clarify expectations
• Practice accountability
• Listen first
• Keep commitments
• Extend trust

I have now worked in the employee benefits industry as a Communications Director for six years, and I have seen firsthand how companies can enjoy a company-wide standard of trust through their employee benefits packages.

In the world of communications, we refer to this type of trust as internal brand-building. Building trust with employees can be more valuable to your organization’s success than any dollar amount spent on traditional marketing. Employees become more efficient, stay healthier, make the right decisions, and become brand ambassadors!

If you want to see brand-building in your organization, begin with yourself. Using employee benefits as a lever for change, try these ideas.

• Be transparent about the cost of benefits for the employer AND the employee.
• Let them know you are “in this together” to control cost
• Share results of your collective efforts
• Talk straight about individual responsibility to manage cost
• Provide advocacy solutions to right wrongs
• Listen to employees through surveys, think tanks, open forums, etc.
• Keep your promises to provide the best benefits budgets allow
• Trust your employees to do the right thing

Our advisory team at The Benefit Company knows trust is everything when it comes to beginning new relationships with our clients. Trust allows us to innovate, deliver client-specific solutions, and ultimately become your partner in your brand-building journey.

With trust, the world moves a lot faster.

 

• Communications
• Marketing Strategy
• Brand Development
• Employee Engagement
• Project and Vendor Oversight