Customer Reviews

Smart Trust: Creating Prosperity, Energy, and Joy in a Low-Trust World

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This book is both amazing and important. It's amazing because it thoughtfully analyzes the most critical issue of our time - trust - and does so in a way that's easily digested and understood. It's important because exercising the practices it espouses can produce profoundly positive outcomes.

Trust is the glue that holds together nations, organizations, families, and every good relationship on earth. Most of us already know that. What many people haven't yet discovered is the principle-centered framework that enables "smart trust" - balancing risk with opportunity, competence with character.

This powerful book by Stephen M.R. Covey and Greg Link gets to the heart of what can make trust work to everyone's advantage. They show how to cut through the traditional trust or distrust dichotomy. Covey and Link give us a handy set of trust lenses through which we can realistically envision a whole new world of possibility in our current and potential relationships.

As I coach leaders in a wide range of organizations, I'm frequently asked "Should I lead with my head or with my heart?" My answer is always the same: "Yes. Both." The most effective leaders - corporate executives, politicians, educators, clergy, parents, etc. - resist the head or heart quandary. They balance caution with optimism, analysis with empathy. They are neither gullible nor overly rigid. They exercise Smart Trust.

Covey and Link elaborate on five specific actions that produce Smart Trust:
1. Choose to Believe in Trust
2. Start With Self
3. Declare Your Intent ... and Assume Positive Intent in Others
4. Do What You Say You're Going to Do
5. Lead Out in Extending Trust to Others

The authors don't merely throw out platitudes. They provide plenty of compelling evidence in the form of case studies from the real world. They demonstrate that Smart Trust is not only achievable, it's - well, it's Smart.

This book is a spin off from a chapter from the authors' previous book, Speed of Trust, which is far better written. More practical and insightful with the 13 Behaviors of trust-building laid out in the book. This book is kind of conceptual and filled up with many rhetorics, like trust enhances prosperity, energy, and joy, etc. Sound very idealistic in a low trust world these days. This new book only repeats the key messages from the previous book, and keeps on stating the obvious--trust with care and wisdom. Sometimes self-help authors have a tendency to state simple facts or truths in complicated ways, using a lot of jargons.

Principle-centred, emotional bank account, speed of trust, etc....

Jargons after jargons, they are stating the same thing over and over again with so called new examples. Underneath, the same old messages! Got a lot fed up by self-help books these days. Quantity versus quality!

Try "The Trusted Advisor" and "Practice What You Preach" by ex-Harvard Business School professor and seasoned consultant , David H. Maister too. Those books have far more practical ideas and skills to offer in the trust-building areas in human and client relations.

Or try "The Science of Trust" and "Relationship Cure" in family relationship and marriage by Dr. John Gottman, both have solid research to back up and not just common sensical stuff made complicated like "Smart Trust".

I trust that the authors of "Smart Trust" have good intention, but this new book and the audio book edition that I have just listened to only just don't deliver a lot of new insights and inspirations that I long for from their new book.

I think just like 7 Habits book, which has been overly line-extended as a "brand franchise" and milked for profits, each new book just keeps on repeating themselves with new book jackets and titles under the same "old 7 Habits School". "Smart Trust" has the same tendency to ride on the "Speed of Trust franchise", which will simply water down the "brand trust" of the Covey Family Brand in the long term. Just like the recent "3rd Alternative" book by Stephen Covey which is simply a lengthy elaboration of Habit 6 Synergy, which makes it not as inspirational as the first 7 Habits book!

If you end up at the end of your life trusting no one, you may end up safe (from hurt or disappointment), but you will end up very sorry. The answer after you have trusted people and been let down, hurt or disappointed is not to stop trusting, but to trust smartly. In this wonderful follow up to their book The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything , Covey and Link have provided a no nonsense, straight forward road map about how to trust smartly.

The key to trusting more smartly is by doing what Covey and Link call a Smart Trust analysis which involves three variables:

1. Opportunity (the situation - what you're trusting someone with)
2. Risk (the level of risk involved)
3. Credibility (the character and competence of the people involved)

1. Opportunity - This is simply answering for yourself, "I am trusting this person to/with/for ________________." Are you trusting them to give you money, do a job, follow through on something they promised, or to keep something in confidence?
2. Risk - Trusting anyone or anything always involves some risk. To evaluate the degree of risk answer the question: a) What are the possible outcomes? So if someone said they'd give you money the outcomes may be: they will, they won't, they'll delay in giving you it beyond what they promised, they'll pay you less than they promised; b) What is the likelihood of the outcomes? Reasonable is not the same as realistic. Reasonable means, everything makes sense or what someone told you seems reasonable. Realistic means what is likely to happen. How realistic is it that that person will give you that money if they don't have it and have to get if from someone else or if they have it, but have other priorities suddenly thrust upon them? Trusted advisors or friends with no agenda and who want the best for you can often be your greatest "reality check" about the realistic likelihood of something working out even if you don't like their sometimes telling you, "No." For this critical role pick people who can give you a reason for their saying, "No," as opposed to the dispiriting people who are just naysayers (which you are hinting your wife might be, not that I want to start an argument there); c) What are the importance and visibility of the outcomes? The more important, critical and urgent something is, the more you won't be able to deal with it not coming through. For instance, for someone not to come through with money they promised you might make you have to scurry around to find it somewhere else, but if what they promised you was critical to your staying in or going out of business that's a much different level of risk.
3. Credibility - This is about the character and competence of the person or people involved. This directly affects the "likelihood of the outcomes" mentioned above. The lesser the character and competence, the lesser the likelihood of a good outcome. Character is about integrity. It's about doing what you say you'll do, when you say you'll do it and at the first signal that you might not be able to do what you promised, letting all parties know and taking an alternative action. Competence is about the person's capabilities and their track record. Furthermore, the competence needs to be relevant to the present circumstance or whatever job is to be done. Does this person you're expecting money from have access to it? Are there any complicating other priorities that might delay it? Do they have a track record of giving people money?

Try using the above "filters" the next time you trust someone.

I have never read a "soft skills" book that was backed with such extensive research and jam packed with so many stories that all the skeptics among you and even some of you hardened cynics will reconsider giving trust another try.

If my testimonial isn't enough, the foreward by Indra Nooyi, CEO and Chairman of PepsiCo, and one of the most trusted and respected CEO's in the world should compel you to give this book your consideration.

There is no mistaking the difference in events and outcomes when trust is lacking, and now more than ever, a book like this is needed to reestablish the definition and process of trusting others as well as ourselves. This was an enjoyable read on a very complex issue and would benefit anyone looking to learn more about improving both their interactions with friends and family, but with coworkers, and customers as well.

I probably approached this book from a different perspective than most. I have a tendency to trust people completely until they give me a reason not to, and often regret it. It isn't that I believe everyone is intrinsically good; it's just that I would rather start from a place of trust than of distrust in most instances.

In Smart Trust I found a clear guide to understanding the value of trust better, and some key thought processes that will help ensure that my trust is not wasted. There was also valuable information on ways to restore trust when it has been broken. I found the information here very helpful and have already begun putting the Smart Trust methods into action in interactions with others. It will take some time to make these behaviors permanent, but I feel I have found a very valuable tool for creating relationships based on a level of trust I have created not just hoped for!

Wherever you look there are reasons to distrust the world around us these days, but trust is fundamental in every relationship we encounter. Smart Trust examines this issue, and sheds light on how we can begin to trust in ways that are not going to leave us regretting our decision. The ideas are solid, and include choices that can be made immediately to begin creating or rebuilding trust in a way that benefits everyone.

The one section I wasn't expecting was the author's view on how the ability to trust others actually comes from trusting ourselves in Chapter 5. This is the Smart Trust Action 2, and it involves taking an honest assessment of yourself and what you are bringing to the table where trust is concerned. This "start with self" view is based on personal responsibility and credibility and is a stern reminder that trust must be a two way street that begins with self. In sharing this step, Stephen Covey shows how differently we can begin to view every situation.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that would like to see an improvement in their relationships with others. This could mean a relationship with a boss, or coworker, or even a more personal family tie. It has eye-opening ideas on the value of trust and why you could be struggling with decisions, and never seem to get the outcome you need. Take the time to read Smart Trust; it is helpful reading that can be applied in so many different areas!

Book review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.

Let's just say that you have not read "The Trusted Advisor" or "Practice What You Preach" by ex-Harvard Business School professor and seasoned consultant, David H. Maister. And let's say that you are not familiar with "The Science of Trust" and "Relationship Cure" in family relationship and marriage by Dr. John Gottman, both of which have solid research to back up and not just commonsense stuff made complicated like "Smart Trust."--mentioned in another review of this book at Amazon.com by Tiger "SamFan." If you were to come to this book fresh, with little information about trust as part of your background, then you certainly might discover new insights and useful information.

I found the book a bit dry--somewhat like a college textbook--and the writing style is not particularly engaging. Most of the examples are good, and there are 21 pages of notes and a complete index, but the book remains a bit tedious and, at points, boring.

If you think of the entire concept of "smart trust," it isn't rocket science, and most leaders become leaders because of it. They already possess the concept--it is natural, embedded, and etched deeply in their psyche--that is one element that propels them to leadership positions. Can it be taught? Like those who are effective communicators, I'm not certain. It can be polished, honed, and perfected, of course -- but taught?

For those who are just starting out and want to become leaders, this might be one place to start, although the books mentioned in the first paragraph (above) might serve as better starting places.

You have to believe in trust; you have to start with your self; you have to declare your intent and assume positive intent in others; you have to do what you say you're going to do, and you have to lead out in extending trust to others. (These represent titles to the various chapters.) To me, these seem to be natural, well-understood, and basic. This book is very fundamental -- commonsense, it seems to me.

I'm not saying the book is bad, nor is it off the mark in any way. I'm just saying that it seems to me that any smart person--especially those who aspire to be leaders--would know this information already. Maybe it's in their genes. Maybe it's in everyone's genes!

Smart Trust is an in-depth look at the issue of trust and the positive results that can come from learning to trust by the means of 5 positive actions. With the use of these actions, comes the ability to develop what the authors refer to as `high-trust relationships'. These types of relationships are uncommon these days due to recent events, and the state of the world's economy. However, in Smart Trust we see how important these types of relationships are both at work and at home, and how to cultivate relationships built on trust once again. A very enjoyable read.

When employees who understand the value of trust are trusted, they will work harder keep being trusted. This may seem like basic knowledge, but sadly it is not the belief many in leadership are acting upon.

Covey reveals that trust is far more than a feeling, but a tangible means to personal success and even profit. He shares the deeper implications of trust along with providing a smart guide to knowing when trust is the best option and when it is not.

This book is for leaders everywhere who are willing to learn just how powerful the effects of creating a high-trust environment can be!

One of the last things any of us wants to do these days is go out on a limb and trust the wrong person, business, or politician, but Stephen Covey and Greg Link have written a book that takes the fear out of trusting.

Smart Trust offers a different way of viewing and practicing trust. Fair warning, this ability starts with self and extends to those around you. In essence it is best explained in Chapter 3, Smart Trust is not about trusting blindly, but with careful analysis. It is about perpetuating trust.

"When we extend trust, we generate trust; when we withhold trust, we generate distrust."

It is a new outlook on an issue that isn't openly discussed much, but knowing when to trust and on what grounds is a skill that could improve just about every area of our lives, and Smart Trust will show u how.