The Edelman Trust Barometer’s 10th survey of “informed publics” around the world included the shocking statistic that only 17% of informed publics between the ages of 35 and 64 in the United States believe what a CEO says about his/her company. http://www.edelman.com/trust/2009. There have been other surveys since then and the statistics have inched up but not significantly.
In speaking about the loss of trust of CEOs with a friend recently he commented, “When the wealth starts to accumulate with male CEOs some strange behavior can surface. What I mean is that they start to get tempted into believing their own headlines and thinking like they are some sort of god. All the rules and restrictions somehow don’t apply to them. They get lured into believing they are invincible and that they are ‘the Masters of the Universe.’
“The resulting behavior and superiority complex leaves those around them in a place of distrust. They will only take care of themselves when the pressure of poor performance and job/pay cuts need to happen. In other words they don’t create a “safe” work environment.
“I have an old saying that leaders who lack character will eventually be humbled and brought down by one of the three G’s: 1) Greed, 2) Glory or 3) Girls. If you look back on all the CEOs in the ‘Hall of Shame’ one of those three was in play. I have personally witnessed several good CEOs get tempted by one of three G’s and lose the trust of their people and have a big fall. I also believe the higher you climb the more frequently these temptations get put in your path.”
My friend spent years in an HR capacity in large organizations. I assert that trust is something that occurs in the “in-between,” between two people, or between an organization and it’s customers, its stakeholders, its suppliers, and its employees. I have pretty good evidence that it takes time to build trust, and trust can be destroyed in an instant with an action, a statement, a change of view.
So as a leader what does it take to foster trust? How can you influence others’ generic views of your position or role? This is an important dialogue. I certainly spend considerable time thinking about, writing about, discussing and speaking on this topic. I don’t have the answer. I have some thoughts. I welcome yours.
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