Are you trusted in your workplace? Does it matter? According to a study performed by Watson Wyatt Worldwide the answer is a definite yes. Per Watson Wyatt’s research shareholder returns were 42 percentage points higher in companies whose employees trusted top executives, than in companies where distrust was the rule. A June 21, 2000 Wall Street Journal article written by Sue Shellenbarger highlighted that Watson Wyatt’s survey of 7500 employees discovered that only half of these people trusted their senior managers.

Trust means to have faith or belief in what you are being told. Although neither political party ranks very high in this critical area, recent polls reveal that Al Gore is having trouble catching up with George W. Bush due to a basic distrust. After two elections of being told character doesn’t matter it seems trust is back in vogue as a desired trait in our preferred leaders.

Whether it is in politics or business, integrity is a quality that cannot be overlooked. If people lack confidence in your word, they will not follow you for long. Proverbs 11:3 warns, “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the falseness of the treacherous will destroy them.”

Let me ask you again. Are you trusted? If not here are some suggested ways to rebuild trust.
Keep your vows. Don’t look for loopholes. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. It doesn’t matter that you didn’t sign a contract or shake hands, if you said you would do something, do it.
Communicate openly and often. Many trust issues spawn from lack of communication. If expectations for both parties aren’t discussed frequently, confidence is easily broken.
Be faithful in the little things and maybe you will be trusted in bigger ones later.


Whether or not the result is increased profits, being trusted reaps great eternal dividends.