Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Unmitigated Gall

From My Perspective - - -

It is difficult to understand gullibility and naiveté that can be observed about otherwise astute and intelligent people. When listening to public addresses and discussion, one has a sense there is something wrong with what is being said - - it just doesn’t sound logical or reasonable. For instance, a Health Reform Bill that has not been openly discussed, or publicly read, or voted upon – people are lined up on either side either for or against it. Then – a deadline is set for the Congress to vote for it so it can be signed into Law – with the hope and promise that corrections and amendments will quickly be made to it. Mind-boggling? Yes! Incredulous? Absolutely! Illogical? Indeed! This is where the unmitigated gall surfaces as the reality! There is only one expression that can summarize such activity and behavior – Shameful!

There is an excellent Book Review submitted by David Mays: “The Speed of Trust - The One Thing That Changes Everything by Stephen M. R. Covey. David Mays review includes these thoughts: “This book surveys four core constituents of trust: integrity, intent, capability, and results. All four are needed to engender trust in relationships, organizations, and society. With trust, everything runs faster, smoother and cheaper. A lack of trust imposes a "tax" in speed and costs. Covey outlines 13 steps to see, speak, and behave in ways that build trust. "The ability to establish, grow, extend, and restore trust with all stakeholders--customers, business partners, investors, and coworkers--is the key leadership competency of the new global economy."

The body of the review includes these thoughts and comments: "Whether you're on a sports team, in an office or a member of a family, if you can't trust one another there's going to be trouble", Joe Paterno. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act is intended to prevent corporate scandals like WorldCom and Enron. The cost of implementing one part of it is estimated at $35 billion. This amounts to a huge "tax" resulting from a loss of trust in corporate institutions. Some leading organizations ask their employees directly, Do you trust your boss? This may be the most predictive indicator of team performance…Trust is one of the most powerful forms of motivation and inspiration. Who trusts you? Trust is a function of character and competence. Covey deals with five circles, or waves, of trust: trust in yourself (confidence in ourselves, our ability to set and achieve goals), in relationships, in organizations, in the market (your brand reputation), and in society (creating value for others). Leadership is getting results in a way that inspires trust. The means are as important as the ends.
The First Wave - Self Trust. The Principle of Credibility The foundational principle is credibility or believability. Am I believable? Do I trust myself? And Am I someone others can trust? The four cores are:
1. Integrity: honesty, integratedness, being congruent inside and out, acting our values and beliefs
2. Intent: our motives, agenda, and resulting behavior
3. Capabilities: talents, attitudes, skills, knowledge, and style
4. Results: our track record, performance, getting the right things done
Core 1--Integrity - Are you congruent? “Rules cannot take the place of character." Alan Greenspan
Core 2--Intent - What's your agenda? Intent matters. It grows out of character. Examine your own motives. Am I seeking to bless or impress?
Core 3--Capabilities - Are you relevant? "Our capability to do the task at hand inspires trust in others.”
Core 4--Results - What's your track record? Results make you credible and establish trust.”

The basic goal and commitment for the follower of Jesus Christ is: (a) II Corinthians 8:21, “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.”, (b) Romans 12:17-18, “Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”, and (c) I Peter 3:16, “keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” This is the minimum standard and an important starting point! Consider these things with me!

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