2021 is almost over and this year, more than any other, has reminded me just how vulnerable leaders and their institutions are when trust has been taken for granted and considered a “soft skill.” And it seems a new costly short-term solution is being invented and offered almost daily. Yet those who have studied, taught and practiced trust know that many of these fixes won’t work. In fact, they may weaken trust even further.

They also know these basics:

• All trust is interpersonal.
• It’s difficult to define, but easy to know when trust is present and when it’s not.
• Trust is built in incremental steps and can take time if the foundation is weak. Covid has shown us just how large the trust cracks are in most organizations and institutions, and how much work must be done to build it. (Contrary to popular headlines, it is not a matter of rebuilding trust because you cannot rebuild something that never existed.)
• There are many people who claim to know quite a bit about organizational trust. While in select cases that may be true, I have yet to meet two who approach the subject in the same manner.
• Trust done “right” is difficult. Sadly, the greatest hurdle is usually “old school” leadership and an unwillingness to commit to making trust an essential element of their long-term systemic business strategy. Trust cannot be delegated to a department or “function.” To be effective and sustainable, leadership must own it and budget for it.
• A universally accepted language, understanding and framework for trust represents the elusive “brass ring on the merry-go-round.” I believe Trust Across America-Trust Around the World may have created it. In fact, over 150,000 global citizens have already accessed it.

And that’s why I have decided to publish a monthly series in 2022. It will be called The “Art” of Trust: 2022 Playbook for Building Systemic Trust, and it will be offered broadly and at no cost to anyone who requests it. I did not invent this playbook myself. It is the culmination of twelve years of collaborative work alongside some of the best and brightest minds in the field of trust….academics, consultants and business leaders. The January issue is complete and available to anyone who wants it.

Here’s to a safe and healthy 2022, one filled with trust and new beginnings.

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