Common Sense Ideas for Becoming the Career Star You Are Meant to Be

Today is Friday, so this post is on interpersonal competence.

All interpersonally competent people have the ability to build trusting relationships.  Stephen M. R. Covey (the son of Steven R. Covey, author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) has written a new book entitled The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything.

Young Mr. Covey says “trust is a pragmatic, tangible, actionable asset that you can create”.  I agree.  Interpersonally competence people have the ability to create trust. 

In The Speed of Trust, Mr. Covey makes several suggestions for creating trust.

• Talk straight: Be honest and tell the truth.
• Demonstrate respect: Treat everyone with respect, especially those who can’t do anything for you.
• Create transparency: Operate on the premise of “what you see is what you get”.
• Right wrongs: Apologize quickly.  Don’t let pride get in the way of doing the right thing.
• Show loyalty: Acknowledge others’ contributions.  Speak about others as if they were present.
• Deliver results: Accomplish what you’re hired to do on time and within budget.
• Practice accountability: Take responsibility for yourself and your actions.  Don’t blame others when things go wrong.
• Keep commitments: When you make a commitment, you build hope.  When you keep your commitment, you build trust.

Young Mr. Covey says “trust brings out the best in people and literally changes the dynamics of interaction”.  His father says, “compelling trust is the highest form of human motivation”.

I agree with both of them.  Trust is vital to interpersonal competence.  Think about these suggestions from young Mr. Covey, put them into play in your daily life and work.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.CommonSenseGuy.com for common sense advice on leading people and running a small business.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.