Purpose Driven Trust

Today we continue from the Small Groups Seminar at Saddleback Church, home of Rick Warren. As stated yesterday, Rick is not only a skilled pastor and preacher, but a brilliant business person and coach; most believe he could be CEO of a Fortune 100 Company. The point is that we can learn much for our businesses by evaluating his spiritual principles.

Today was all about trust. Most of us would acknowledge the importance of trust in our marriage, friendships, and spiritual lives, but how critical is it in business? In my younger years, one of my favorite sayings was, "Trust everybody, but cut the cards." My philosophy was to be overtly trusting, but not naive. This is not a bad approach, but I have mellowed a bit more since then, and I believe Rick would endorse it in a business sense.

The moderated position allows for receiving back what is sent out. If we treat others with trust, then we will be trusted more. What goes around comes around. We are also emotional animals, even the most type A personality. We are human and we care; we care certainly about ourselves, friends and family, but also to a degree, others.

This is where leadership, and maturity come in. When we make a decision to trust, it becomes contagious. It becomes contagious WITHIN our organization, as well as outside of it, and spreads to customers as well as suppliers. Just as trusting more increases the level of sharing in a small church group setting, it similarly deepens relationships in business. This working together in a spirit of trust creates real synergy. Profits even increase!

When we see the good in each other instead of the faults (remember the healthy lawn), we release the uniqueness and creativity of each person. Great leaders uncover and reveal the potential they see in each member of the team.

In your next bulletin or newsletter, do a simple survey. Ask your people to what degree they feel trusted. If it's at a lower level than you'd like, guess who's responsible? In a small church group, it is the leader. In your business, it's no different. The outcome can be changed; it's up to you.