Playing Fast with The Speed of Trust

Consider Stephen M.R. Covey’s work if you’re moving slowly

Stephen M.R. Covey’s book “The Speed of Trust; The One Thing That Changes Everything” came to me through a recommendation by a new acquaintance. The individual was commenting on my statement that I get most of my IT consulting and LinkedIn training work through direct reference … either from someone that I know from a previous relationship, or from someone who has talked with someone I know.

The point being made though was that it works because I’ve established a trust relationship with these business professionals, and that trust is extended to the person they know.

And that trust makes things happen – quickly.

Would you like to hear how that happens?
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Son of The Stephen R. Covey

First, as a point of information, “The Speed of Trust; The One Thing That Changes Everything“ is not written by “The” Stephen Covey that you might have in mind, it’s written by his son.

I’ve read a number of the works by the elder Covey, and the name has some value in my trust bank.

Recommended and timely

One of the lessons I’ve learned is that when someone else takes the time to recommend something to me, I ought to have a look. So, although I wouldn’t normally take the chance on something on the sole point that it was done by the son of someone famous, the personal recommendation was enough for me in this case.

In addition, the topic of trust is one that fits well with what we write about here. If there’s an opportunity to learn something on trust, I’d like to take advantage of it.

Dissecting Trust

The meat of this book is an examination of trust at the personal and relationship levels – how they relate and what we can do to lose that facet of trust as well as earn it.

Each section includes a bit of self evaluation and recommendations on improving.

Speed

The opening (which I’ve saved for last) is the kicker that attracted me, and provides the biggest “insight”.

When you trust, things move fast.

When you don’t, they move slow.

Consider any endeavor – business, professional, personal – and how bogged down everything gets when people have to cover their respective arses because they think the other party can’t be fully trusted?

Conversely, how easy is it when the level of trust is high?

Well guess what – the things you say and do relate to how high a level of trust you maintain with those around you…

Two-thirds worthwhile…-)

I’m generally focused on big ideas, and the two above catch most of the game-changers in the book.

My enthusiasm waned in the second half of this book – perhaps I had lost interest 200 pages in.

Given that I’d been putting the puzzle pieces together as I’d read, the final elements didn’t stand out for me – but that’s just me.

Ready to build trust?

I’m sure you can get the concept that high trust equals high speed without the need to read Covey’s book, but for the details on the many facets of trust you’ll need to read the book.

The question is – are you ready to examine yourself and your relationships?