The SPEED of Trust

by Stephen M.R. Covey

Re-Read List: Yes
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From The Book

when trust is low, speed goes down and cost goes up. When trust is high, speed goes up and cost goes down.

Whether it’s high or low, trust is the “hidden variable” in the formula for organizational success. The traditional business formula says that strategy times execution equals results: S × E = R (Strategy times Execution equals Results) But there is a hidden variable to this formula: trust—either the low-trust tax, which discounts the output, or the high-trust dividend which multiplies it: (S × E)T = R

A humble person is more concerned about what is right than about being right, about acting on good ideas than having the ideas, about embracing new truth than defending outdated position, about building the team than exalting self, about recognizing contribution than being recognized for making it.

Try to be transparent, clear and truthful. Even when it is difficult, and above all when it is difficult. —JEAN-CYRIL SPINETTA, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, AIR FRANCE