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Trust - a learned skill?

In his book, The Speed Of Trust, Stephen M. R. Covey says it is "the one thing that changes everything".

And he challenges the concept that trust is just a "soft social virtue" but is rather a "hard-edged economic driver".

Interestingly, some major players in business agree with Covey. Tom Peters (Management Guru and author of "In Search of Excellence"), Larry King (of CNN fame), Spencer Johnson (author of "Who Moved My Cheese"), Kevin Rollins (CEO of Dell Inc.)

So why you may ask is this concept so important? After all everyone knows that trust is an important component of business relationships!

And you are right. Yet it is the speed of trust that is the key component, not just the trust.

Covey explains that we need to look for opportunities in every exchange we have with people to enhance trust - not just assume that once it has been established all is OK.

From "self trust" to "relationship trust" to "inspiring trust" the book outlines things we need to be doing AND the results if we do. And he is not just talking about better feelings in a relationship. He and many others point to bottom line results. Kevin Rollins, CEO of Dell Inc. says "trust..... has a bottom line impact on results and that when trust goes up, speed goes up while costs come down."

His book reveals the 13 Behaviours common to high trust leaders and, more importantly the actionable insights that will enable you to shift your behaviour to increase trust in the important relationships in your life.

So the lesson for us all is to look every day for opportunities to establish, build and enhance trust. In the 21st Century it may well be the key to survival.

On my "Relationship Mastery" CD I highlight trust as the number one step in relationship building and that to get trust you need to give trust. Actively look for opportunities to extend trust to others by doing things that embody trust. Remember, people are more persuaded by what you do than what you say.

If you would like to know more about building better business relationships and the part trust plays, I am offering a special on the Relationship Mastery CD to readers of this article. Contact me direct via email and it will be posted to you (anywhere in the world) for just A$25 (incl. P&H). This offer is only available till COB on Friday 10th October.