07.08.2009

The True Speed of Trust

My favorite read of the summer so far is a book I never expected myself to love.  Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm often captivated by books on business and organization.  I enjoy charts and graphs, and have been known to chuckle over anecdotes illustrating successful (and sometimes hilariously unsuccessful) workplace practices.  One thing I've found over the years about business-related books, however, is that it takes extremely solid concepts to make them bearable.  One misstep and what was supposed to be a piece about overcoming adversity in the workplace turns into a mushy self-help extravaganza.

Some months back, I attended a talk by Stephen Covey encompassing ideals from his book The Speed of Trust.  It was a great session by a man who not only believed in his message, but who also was obviously onto something big.  I picked up his book a few days later, but in a trend many of you will find familiar, was quickly sidetracked by business and family.  Last week, I finally found a few spare moments to pick it up again, and it's fabulous!

Covey's main premise is that there is one principle which directly influences every dimension of life - trust.  Without trust as a solid foundation in our relationships, both business and personal, we have nothing.  However, if trust is given top billing, timelines shorten and profitability flourishes.  He illustrates this concept perfectly with the story of how Warren Buffett acquired McLane Distribution from Wal-Mart in a meeting that only lasted 2 hours.  Because the companies trusted each other, they were able to avoid lengthy legal proceedings and millions of dollars in additional fees.

Throughout the book, Covey stresses the importance of building a strong basis in trust by starting small with personal actions and spreading outward from there.  The 'Five Waves of Trust' (Self, Relationship, Organizational, Market, and Societal) are descriptions of how to enable yourself to see, speak, and behave in ways that establish trust in your relationships and inspire others to be trustworthy, as well. 

As I read through the section on relationships, it struck me that the concepts were ones that most of us learned as kids.  They are also the very core of what I've thought of as 'business' over the years, as a result of conscious effort as well as basic instinct - tell the truth, be respectful, right wrongs, be loyal, deliver results, constantly improve, be realistic, create shared vision up front, be accountable, listen carefully. 

The rules seem so simple, so common-sense.  However, as I read over them and thought back on past business relationships, both successful and not-so-successful, it was easy to see what made each one either flourish or fail.  I can think of one recent instance in particular where the main spokesperson for a client was not open to realistic goals and was not up-front with what their vision for the project and our relationship should be.  Conversations and negotiations dragged and broke down.  Costs rose because of lost time and additional (yet completely avoidable) labor.  As a result of these unfortunate events, the project came to a halt and we were forced to cut ties. 

Looking back now it makes me cringe, but I understand where things went awry - we went out of our way to prove our character and capabilities, while trusting that the client believed in the same ideals as MCA.  Unfortunately, we were wrong.  Lesson learned; as Covey so wonderfully illustrates, a company that is based on trust will automatically expect the same from its counterparts and, within the confines of good judgment, extend that trust to everyone they interact with.  Vice versa, those who don't understand the value of trust will be overly suspicious of others, missing opportunities and chances for innovation while decreasing speed and increasing cost.

Luckily, Covey's last section covers the importance of forgiveness, another lesson from childhood (even if it's still difficult to swallow every now and then).  He describes broken trust as "an opportunity to get your own act together, to improve your character and competence, to behave in ways that inspire trust...your effort may well affect others in positive ways, and it will definitely enable you to create more high-trust relationships in the future."   I look forward to a long future of doing business with my trusted clients, those currently known as well as those who are as-of-yet undiscovered. 

Get more info or grab a copy of the book here.

 

06.16.2009

Cars & Community

A few weeks ago, ULI CEO Rick Rosan issued a statement in response to President Obama's proposal to raise vehicle fuel-efficiency requirements and impose new auto emissions standards.  Rosan's message struck a chord with me, closely mirroring an idea that I have espoused for some time now.  While it is very important to be concerned with the amount of pollution created by automobiles, it is just as crucial to realize that there are other ecological and social dangers associated with driving which can never be corrected by fuel efficiency standards. 

Urban sprawl, the unplanned, unattractive, and unwieldy growth of cities and towns away from the city center, actually began here in America as a result of the ease and availability of the automobile.  In fact, some historians claim that sprawl can be intimately linked to the advent of the drive-in burger stand, now known as fast food (i.e. McDonalds and Burger King). Urban sprawl has been linked to obesity, higher auto accident fatalities, a decline in land and water quantity and quality, and some even say that it contributes to lower social capital.  If these problems weren't enough to get you thinking, auto dependency and urban sprawl also nurture isolation and depression, and, as the movie Subdivided explores, has led to the very real decline of community.

Rosen says "The greenest car is the one that is not needed for every trip to get from one place to another. Well-planned, compact development that reduces auto dependency is as critical to protecting the environment as cars that use less fuel."  This is something I completely agree with, from both a 'green' standpoint as well as for the sake of community.  When my team is invited to design a space, whether for a large development or a single clubhouse, our first step is to explore the area's demographic.  What makes these people similar?  What makes them unique?  What do they love to do with their free time?  How can all of these factors be considered and combined to create a space or spaces that speak to the viewer, create energy, and foster interaction? 

Through the years, I've found that one of the most important factors to creating a community that makes its inhabitants really want to get out, enjoy it, and enjoy each other, is walkability.  It's common sense, really.  Which would you rather do - take a leisurely walk down to the clubhouse for dinner and cocktails, or drive to Applebee's to meet up with friends?  Stroll over to catch up on gossip at the boutique around the corner, or drive to Wal-Mart to shop the specials?  I'd love to know your point of view on the subject.  Read the ULI statement here, and feel free to write us at info@marycook.com for more information on how our approach to creating what author Ray Oldenburg calls 'third places' helps create and nurture community.