Being Trustworthy

Trust is a big thing in today's world. Because of past experiences and previous hurt and pain, people seem to become progressively less trusting. The common phrases heard today include "it takes years to gain trust, and seconds to loose it." And though I still concur with that statement, it seems though we've warped trust into this equivalent yoke of perfection. Consequently, as people are incapable of perfection, they continually fall short of this standard, which reaffirms one's hesitation to trust, and down the magic spiral we go.

Andy (I think I've mentioned him enough to go on a first-name basis) addresses this issue, and states that being trustworthy is NOT the equivalent of being flawless. However,

Trustworthy people address the gaps they've created

This comes with commitments from both parties. For the "offender":

1) I'll do what I said I'd do, and if I don't, you'll hear it from me, not from others
When there becomes a gap between what you expect and what you experience, or there is a falling short of the bar I said I would achieve, I will own up it. I won't simply wait around until people find out to address it, hoping that no one notices. Instead, my goal will to be "shot the gap" before it musters into anything.

2) If you confront me about gaps I created, I'll tell you the truth
I won't try to alter the evidence, I won't try to portray things in a different light, I won't try to make excuses... I will be firm and clear about gap.

For the "offendee," which is just as important:

1) If you address the gaps, I will respond in a secure and mature fashion
The reason more initiative isn't taken by the offender to own up to his/her gaps is because of fear linked with the other person's response. Now, approaching someone about failing to meet their expectations should never really be a joyous, singing-through-the-daisy-fields event, but individuals need to ask themselves what their history of gap awareness has communicated to others. If I respond as this little pit bull, ready to bite and smear a person's failure in their face, basically I've just communicated, "If you mess up again, you better do a better job of hiding it!" Cover up happens from fear, so we need to ask ourselves how much cover up is the direct result of our reaction.

From an organizational, and even personal, standpoint, the healthier culture you develop in addressing gaps the faster and more accurate information will get to you... which I think is the desire of everyone.