In the realm of human services, trust is the cornerstone of effective relationships and organizational success. Whether you’re providing direct support to individuals or managing a team of dedicated professionals, establishing trust is essential. The four cores of credibility, as defined in The Speed of Trust, offer a universal framework for building trust in any organization. These cores—integrity, intent, capabilities, and results—make you believable to yourself and others. The first two cores deal with character, while the second two focus on competence.
If you have read The Four Dysfunctions of a Team or The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni, you will recognize familiar language and concepts, especially “Humble, Hungry, and Smart.” In The Speed of Trust, the visual metaphor of a tree illustrates how all four cores of credibility are interconnected and vital. You can have the best systems and technology in place, but without a foundation of trust with your team, those tools will not get you very far. Additionally, delegating is a principle practice for any manager and delegation can be challenging when trust is not established. Let’s break down these principles of trust further.
