Principle
#2
Build Trust
lead with integrity
The foundation of healthy societies is trust. Trust facilitates healthy
relationships and reduces the likelihood of conflict. Yet how do
we increase trust in poverty-ridden regions? How do we increase
trust between North Americans and Latin Americans, between Africans
and Europeans, or between different religious and ethnic groups?
How do we make a genuine contribution to increasing social capital
in low-trust cultures?
In our model, individual trustworthiness is the foundation of communal
trust. A society comprised of trustworthy people creates immense
opportunities for peace, prosperity and freedom. Being true to one's
word is the essence of trustworthiness. It is the united mind and
body - the ability to act based on what one knows and says is true,
which demonstrates integrity and fosters trustworthiness.
Naturally, trust is built in relationship with others. The first
level of social association in which trust is cultivated is with
one's parents (while one is a child), later with siblings and peers
and ultimately with a marriage partner. Building trust within these
relationships is central to fostering trust in the secondary social
relationships which occur within a larger community system.
We identify key behaviors and skills to build trust. Our facilitated
program is based on leading research on the dynamics of trust and
betrayal
. We adapt this model to address issues between individuals of different
social groups - individuals who often had little trust for one another.
Using this approach we are able to influence behaviors thus creating
a measurable increase of trust over time.
|
