Trust

Say Thank-Yous Often…and Accept Them Graciously

Say Thank-Yous Often…and Accept Them Graciously

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“Thank you.” “No, thank you!” One thing we will never agree on is who should be thanking whom. In 1996, I met Norm Adams. Norm was older than me and served as a life guide until his passing. His teaching lives on. In late 1999, I was considering starting my own company. I shared with Norm that I did not know what to do. The idea of leaving a secure job, in which I was happy,…
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Do Not Quit Till the Miracle Happens

Do Not Quit Till the Miracle Happens

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It’s a statement referenced often in the mental health world: Do not quit till the miracle happens. The meaning behind it is to keep going even when things are tough. Please do not take this so literally you think it means staying in an unhealthy situation. What it does mean is that if you are taking positive actions, at times the outcome may take a while to achieve. I have a front row seat to miracles. These…
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Gaining Self-Awareness Means Having the Courage to Hear the Truth

Gaining Self-Awareness Means Having the Courage to Hear the Truth

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Sharing can be a good thing—almost a magical thing. It often leads to an increase in self-awareness. In this column, we will focus on what happens when you share with someone you trust, who cares enough to provide you with objective feedback. The tape one plays in their head may not be accurate. Just the process of saying something aloud can be helpful. I am so fortunate to spend time with many people, both in…
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How to Relieve Anxiety and Build Trust in the Workplace

Closing the Loop Relieves Anxiety and Builds Trust

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Anxiety is a real emotion, and one that receives lots of attention. Why? Because it can be a very serious issue that impacts a person’s well-being. But anxiety isn’t just connected to issues in our personal life. It also manifests in the professional realm. The form of anxiety we’ll explore today is the anxiety that can happen when we don’t “close the loop” to assure others that action has been taken. If the person you…
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How Great Communication Pays Off: Six Signs Your Organization Is Flourishing

How Great Communication Pays Off: 6 Signs Your Organization Is Flourishing

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Part Five in a Five-Part Series on Communication and Cultures of Trust Over the past four weeks, we have explored the subject of communication and the role it plays in building a culture of trust. As we discussed early on, great communication helps leaders create clarity and reduce anxiety, demonstrate empathy and understanding, build strong relationships with employees, and much more. (All of these contribute to trust and, ultimately, high performance.) We’ve also talked about what keeps…
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These Conversation Starters Help Leaders Build Trust

10 Conversation Starters to Help Leaders Build Trust

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Part Four in a Five-Part Series on Communication and Cultures of Trust Welcome to the latest installment in a series on trust and communication. Last week we talked about what leaders can do to create the best odds that employees will “hear” what they’re saying and engage in the conversation. (Click here to review.) This week we’ll share some powerful tactics leaders can use to spark trust-building conversations. A great way to build trust is…
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Building a Culture of Trust

Building a Culture of Trust

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The new book The Human Margin: Building the Foundations of Trust, which I coauthored with Dr. Katherine A. Meese, came out this week. I am grateful to Katherine for partnering with me on the book and to the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) for agreeing to publish it. We share some of the research and insights from the book on my latest podcast available on the Healthcare Plus Solutions Group website. Click here to listen. I am…
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How to Rebuild Trust in Your Organization

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For an organization to thrive, trust is essential. It keeps people engaged and makes them more likely to stay. It is equivalent to safety in a city. At times, people will stay in a city where they do not feel safe, usually due to not having a way to leave. However, while living there, they will not feel that it is the place they want to be. City leaders cannot assume that residents feel safe…
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Employees gossiping about young female colleague

Gossip Erodes Trust, Goodwill, and Peace. Here’s How to Shut It Down.

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Gossip is something I’ve encountered at various times in my life. I am on a journey of learning. When I share about work situations and community items, the fact that they’re based on actual experiences is helpful. It provides me with empathy and understanding. I know how hard being in a leadership role is. In studying recent employee engagement results and reading comments, it became clear there are signs of gossip. In researching materials on…
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Business speaker giving a talk in conference hall.

Organizational Trust Is Down. Here’s How to Change That.

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Having people trust leadership is a goal of every organization. It is something people devote lots of work and resources to. So, with all of the effort being put into building trust in an organization, why are the results less than what most leaders want? Trust, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is “assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something.” My experience is that it helps to ask those…
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