Stephen Covey writes “Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” (First Things First, 1994, p. 203)

I don’t see any way around it. When you are leading an organization, you have to trust people. No matter how talented you are, you do not have the specific knowledge required to do all of the tasks that make your business go round. You must trust others to get things done. I am being reminded of this daily, especially lately. The agency I work for launched two new major systems in the last few months. One is an electronic payroll system and the other is an electronic medical record. Though I was part of the selection and initial implementation, the day to day operation, programming, and ongoing development of the systems is being done by a small team of amazing staff. They have a knack and an aptitude for it.  I am also completely relying on them. Our agency is blessed because they are trustworthy, ethical, dedicated and diligent.

What I find interesting is the trust required on my part. I ask questions every day, lots of questions. But in the end, I have to trust them to do the work. I trust them to figure things out and get things done. I trust their integrity, their work ethic, and creativity. They in turn, are empowered by  my trust in them. My trust acknowledges their capability and expertise. 

According to Erik Erickson trust is the first and most basic stage of development (Identity and the Life Cycle, 1959, p. 57).  Erickson writes that without the ability to trust a person cannot develop healthy personality. After 20 years in organizational leadership I would say the same is true of business. A business cannot be healthy unless there is trust at all levels of leadership and staff. Without the giving and receiving of trust an organization is just a collection of people all competing as individuals to accomplish their own agenda. With trust that collection of individuals can become a team moving in the same direction to accomplish a shared mission for the good of each other and the community.

Covey has it right. Trust is essential for holding relationships together and allowing people to move in the same direction.  It is the glue that facilitates shared agendas and shared goals. As an agency director I strive to trust and be trust worthy. It may be my most important job.