The greatest crisis in t
he world today is the crisis of trust. Flatly stated, we have lost trust in all four of our major institutions – business, government, NGOs and media. The 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer puts it clearly:
…two-thirds of the countries we survey are now “distrusters” (under 50 percent trust in the mainstream institutions of business, government, media and NGOs to do what is right), ….We have moved beyond the point of trust being simply a key factor in product purchase or selection of employment opportunity; it is now the deciding factor in whether a society can function.
The survey describes many causal factors, among them globalization, corruption, populism, offshoring, automation and robotics, terrorism and greed, but whatever the causes, their conclusion is stark: “…only 15 percent of the general population believe the present system is working, while 53 percent do not and 32 percent are uncertain.”
That is a crisis. And it is a crisis caused by a failure of leadership. In fact, every crisis of our times is a failure of leadership.
Business is the only institution on Earth capable of changing the current direction of the world and thereby reclaiming its lost trust. In doing so it can also set an example for other key pillars and institutions of society.
We could start by eliminating the disrespectful word “consumer” (a demeaning term describing a unit of exploitation) and replacing it with the word “people” (a term describing our brothers and sisters with whom we share Earth). In a healthy capitalist system, making a profit is our air supply. But if we ruin our environment, exploit employees and customers, steal from shareholders, and run organizations exclusively on the basis of self-interest, we will cut off our own oxygen.
Regaining the trust of employees, customers, vendors, regulators, unions, and the public is essential for our survival, and more importantly, essential if we are to improve on the current human condition – which should be the aim of every organization. We can start the process of regaining trust by removing business practices that harm rather than enhance the human experience, such as:
The performance review (see my blog about this)
Using terms like “accountability” (an intimidating word if ever there was one!)
Employee engagement surveys (see my blog about this)
Leadership competencies (we have better ways to inspire others)
Mission Statements (we need a Dream)
Motivation theories (fear-based) instead of relying more on inspiration (love-based) practices (watch the video describing the difference)
Every leader in every organization can start by beginning an internal dialogue, in which we ask, “Are we trusted?”, “How can we build trust among our stakeholders?”, “Is everything we do inspiring to others – inside and outside the organization?”
As you point out, business is the only institution that has the capacity to make big change in the world, and that is the reason I went into business in the first place. If we can create businesses with leaders who operate at their very best as human beings, we can do some extraordinary things. Secondly, so often we forget we are human beings and treat each other and consumers as objects. Thank you for reminding us of our humanness and that we are not merely objects to be exploited or “sold stuff too”.
You are so right, Anne! People are humans first, and functions or titles last. A deep awareness of this belief leads to breakthroughs in leadership.
Whilst I have not always found it easy I have always tried to start my relationships on the basis that until proved to the contrary I trust the other person and they can trust me. I have said this to the other party on many occasions and have only very rarely been let down. Unfortunately the warning I give with my commitment to mutual trust can then come into play and that is: do not cause me to lose trust as it can rarely be rebuilt.
Perhaps if we were all more trusting in others and ourselves?
I love this approach David, and have used it often myself. The really hard part, I find, is trying, once again, to build trust on those rare occasions when people do let you down (perhaps 1%?). But, painful though that is, it is always worth it!
The NFL has lost the trust of the American people with their kneeling at the National Anthem. The National Anthem is really a story of faith and sacrifice, the people at Fort McHenry gave their last full measure of support something few have done in their lives.
I’ve posted this on Facebook on as many NFL teams and the NFL themselves but wanted too here as well. The NFL will have to work very hard to get back the audience that once adored and worshiped them.
So here is the short story:
What happened was Frances Scott Key was selected to do a 1 for 1 prisoner exchange. He went aboard the British ship and got an agreement with the Admiral. After he told his men in the holding area, he was summoned to the bridge by the Admiral. The Admiral told him there would be no exchange as it would be mute and the men would be freed anyway.
Mr Key asked why, he was told by the Admiral to look at the horizon where hundreds of British ships were coming. He said it was the entire British navy and would be here in hours.
Mr. Key pleaded and said it’s not that kind of fort, it has women and children as well.
The Admiral said, I’ve given them a way out, all they have to do is bring down the flag and they’ll be safe under British rule.
When the British Navy arrive they started hitting Fort Henry with cannon fire from hundreds of ships. The Admiral could not understand why the Americans would not give up, he thought they were crazy. Mr. Key reminded him of what Washington said years ago, that the American Christian would rather die than live under British rule.
So, the Admiral then had all ships fire directly on the flag, and it stood throughout the night. The bombing was non-stop, but in the morning when the mist cleared our flag was still there, it was hanging tilted and no one knew why.
As agreed the Admiral released the prisoners. Mr Key signaled the fort but got no reply. He hurried in a small boat to the fort to see why, ran in, he looked over at the flag and realized what was holding it up. It was the dead bodies of men, women, and even children, none would let it fall because they all knew what it meant.
So, my friends, continue to watch the ridiculous NFL, dishonoring themselves and our country or turn the channel as I’ve done and many others have done. We don’t have to buy their tarnished product.