Trust is the ultimate currency, according to Paul Polman and Andrew Winston. It is “the lifeblood of a net positive company”, they write, and “the most valuable asset a company can have. (…) It provides the foundation to build the deeper collaborations we need to solve the world’s biggest challenges.”
Trust is not only important for organizations, but also for society at large. “No society thrives long without trust as the basis of prosperity.” (…) Living with trust makes us happier; stewing in mistrust leads to fear, anger, and alienation.” The polarization around Covid-restrictions has exacerbated the latter.
Trust is earned by genuine openness, honesty, and transparency. “Being open drives trust”, they write. That also means being open about your personal interests and how those relate to the interests of others. Trust won’t necessarily be eroded by promoting what’s good for you, as long as you’re open and honest about it and always keep an eye on what’s good for others. “You build trust by being genuine in your desire to help and being honest about the benefits to your business.”
This is part of a series of blogs about “Net positive”, an important book by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston