Trust : Releasing the Energy to Succeed

The new economy has changed the rules of the game in business, and the speed at which businesses operate and interact. Corporate success has therefore never been more dependent on the contribution of first-rate people, who give more than merely adequate performance at work and in turn, trust has become a topic of considerable importance within organization, as people need to be engaged and motivated by their role in order to go the "extra mile". Low trust is characterised by defensive, protective and legalistic behaviour (with the potential to financially damage a company), whereas high trust can help create real competitive advantage in the marketplace through promoting effective collaboration, involvement and loyalty which in turn generate energy and innovation among employees.

The organisations with a high level of trust have teams of people that are highly motivated and co-operative and command respect and loyalty from their customers. This can lead to the fulfilment of a company's mission and goals, and eventually, financial success. Yet trust is not an easy commodity to achieve and maintain, with employees increasingly demand more, and less obvious, compensations than financial benefits alone, such as job autonomy and ownership, and the market value of their role. Fulfilment of these 'hidden' rewards can lead to employee commitment and passion based on trust, which are valuable assets when employee retention is at a premium -many people are choosing to opt out of the corporate economy to work freelance, or for the new, small and entrepreneurial e-businesses start-ups. This book shows, through practical guidance and examples, how trust can be harnessed to create real competitive advantage within an organisation's strategic aims.

RITA CRUISE O'BRIEN has a background in working to improve the social and economic problems of developing countries. She has consulted for British Telecom, the OECD, the EU, the UK government and the United Nations. She was Managing Director of a start-up company and Publishing Director of Pergamon Infoline. She has previously lectured at University College, London and worked as Research Fellow at the University of Sussex and LSE. She was Research Fellow, Director of the International Executive Masters Programme and Programme Director for company-specific programmes at the Centre for Management Development at the London Business School. Rita has an MA from the University of California, Berkeley and a PhD from the London School of Economics.