Tuesday, March 22, 2011

So How Does One Build Trust? stephen covey

1. Listen well. If you think I'm important enough to listen to me when I talk, then I'm going to think more highly of you.

2. Make and keep promises. Twenty-somethings have been let down by their parents' generation and are cynical. Counter that cycle by doing what you say you'll do.

3.Clarify expectations. It may not be anything more than poor communication that has you failing to trust someone else. Go the extra mile and explain in detail what you really hope will happen.

4. Kindnesses and courtesies. When was the last time you sent someone a nice thank you note? Do that and you say to them, "You are significant." In return, they will trust you more.

5. Be loyal to those not present. Talk behind my back and , if I find out, my trust will go down. Conversely, if you refrain from gossip and critical talk, you honor others.

6. Apologize. When you take the blame for something and apologize, my respect for you will increase. Apologies show that you've got your ego in check, that defensiveness doesn't control you.

7. Forgive. People make interpersonal mistakes all the time. How do you trust someone who doesn't forgive others when they make a mistake? To err is human, to forgive is divine.

8. Be honest. When someone is more known for their tap dancing than their honesty, you don't know where you stand or what version of the truth you'll get. Be a straight shooter and people will trust you more.

9. Show appreciation. Who doesn't like to be thanked? It boosts your sense of significance and you know that you've got value in another person's eyes.

10. Give and receive feedback. Giving feedback involves taking a risk. You could be wrong or your perceptions could be rejected. But feedback is something we all need. Give it well and you've given a gift, one that can build trust.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

A Beautiful Mess

When Christian believers gather in churches, everything that can go wrong sooner or later does. Outsiders, on observing this, conclude that there is nothing to the religion business except, perhaps, business - and dishonest business at that. Insiders see it differently. Just as a hospital collects the sick under one roof and labels them as such, the church collect sinners. Many of the people outside the hospital are every bit as sick as the ones inside, but their illnesses are either undiagnosed or disguised. It's similar with sinners outside the church.

So Christian churches are not, as a rule, model communities of good behavior. They are, rather, places where human misbehavior is brought out in the open, faced and dealt with. ~ Eugene Peterson

Saturday, March 12, 2011

BOOST Retreat / The Gift of Crisis - Jay and Beth Shetler

James 1:12-14

Times of crisis cause us to look deep, to evaluate the why's and how's of our life. It gives us opportunity to clarify mission, purpose and values.

What low priority area of life or business is stealing your time and energy?

A crisis tends to reveal our self-doubts, personality weaknesses and fears. If we would act without fear in this crisis, what would we do differently?

Isaiah 62:2

Crisis gives opportunity for genuine community. It is on the path of suffering that we learn best how to love and understand others who are suffering.

From my (Gene) experience, times of crisis grow us into persons that more closely resemble Jesus. And frankly, when we are able to see in "hindsight" what crisis has brought about, the good that has been created because of it...crisis when it comes again, while no more welcome than before; after all we don't seek pain and suffering, becomes a point of growth and expectation. 


JESUS IS THE BLESSED REDEEMER!

Friday, March 11, 2011

BOOST - a christian business retreat

Maintaining Trust - Terry Shue

-As our culture shifts and changes TRUST seems to be diminishing at a rapid pace. 

-Trustworthiness gives us a distinct advantage over our competition. 

"The ability to establish, extend and restore trust with all stakeholders - customers, business partners, investors, and co-workers-is the key leadership competency of the new global economy." Steve R. Covey

self Trust: Trust begins with me. If we are ever going to impact the community around us Trust must begin with us.  

four core credibilities Trust is built upon:
Integrity: Congruence, Humility, Courage. Who taught you about integrity without actually using the word?
Intent: Genuine concern for others
Capabilities: talents attitudes skill knowledge style
Track Record

NOTHING is as profitable as a high level of trust. 

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Stick It Out!

From Hebrews 10...Remember those early days after you first saw the light? Those were the hard times! Kicked around in public, targets of every kind of abuse-some days it was you, other days your friends. If some friends went to prison, you stuck by them. If some enemies broke in and seized your goods, you let them go with a smile, knowing they couldn't touch your real treasure. Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion.