Q4 is always an uneasy quarter heading into year-end. Best-laid plans get derailed, inflation happens and wars rage.

There is little we have control over, but how we work with others is in our control, happily. It costs little but has a monumental ROI when implemented consistently.

Building trusting relationships is the bread and butter of success

Compared with people at low-trust companies, people at high-trust companies report: 74% less stress, 106% more energy at work, 50% higher productivity, 13% fewer sick days, 76% more engagement, 29% more satisfaction with their lives, 40% less burnout (Harvard Business Review, 2017). 

It takes a thoughtful approach, an authentic strategy, and gentle consistency to establish trusted relationships amongst our peers.  

At every level, in every role, and in every department of every single organization, building relationships is the common denominator of operational success.  

“In a global CEO survey, PwC reported that 55% of CEOs think that a lack of trust is a threat to their organization’s growth. But most have done little to increase trust, mainly because they aren’t sure where to start” (Harvard Business Review, 2017). 

Resilience fuels success

One of my favorite leaders, Robin Dreeke, interviewed me about trust on the “Forged By Trust” podcast. Social psychologist, best-selling author, professional speaker, trainer, facilitator, retired FBI Special Agent, and my friend, he is also a 9/11 hero who was on the ground on that terrible day 21 years ago last week helping people escape the chaos.

In this episode, we discuss: 

• How my own curiosity fuels trust in the boardroom with CEOs, investors, and directors
• Exiting unhealthy environments 
• Navigating guarded relationships 
• Building trust through highly developed observation skills, deep listening skills, and self-awareness  

Robin asks me, Maureen, “How do you break down barriers with executives who are uncomfortable sharing their fears?” 

Here is my answer

Yesterday was an exciting day for Patrick (my husband). After more than three years, he’s finally getting to travel again for business. Here he is with our daughter, Allison, at the airport heading to Syracuse, New York, for a business conference.

With a population of 142,000, Syracuse is a regional hub for entertainment and is home to museums, art galleries, performance spaces, and more. The city is known for its Great New York State Fair.
 

The 90-Day Brand Offer

In addition to supporting our corporate clients, we work with private clients one-on-one. Explore our 90-Day Brand program here.

Thank you for sharing your day with me, and have a wonderful week ahead!

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Westgate is a 100% independent firm.

Maureen is a performance optimization coach and personal branding strategist for next-level executives and board nominees.

Westgate Executive Branding and Career Consulting Inc. would like to acknowledge that we are located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People. We are all Treaty people.