The Thin Book of Trust; An Essential Primer for Building Trust at Work [Paperback]

Charles Feltman (Author), Sue Annis Hammond (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 17, 2008 | ISBN-10: 0966537394 | ISBN-13: 978-0966537390

This is a small book about a very important subject. A lot has been written about trust: about what it is and what it can do for people, families, companies, communities and countries. Often, good work is being sabotaged by interpersonal conflict, political infighting, paralysis, stagnation, apathy, or cynicism. Almost always, one can trace these problems to a breakdown in trust. It not only kills good work, it also inevitably creates some degree of misery, annoyance, fear, anger, frustration, resentment, and resignation. By contrast, in successful companies where people are innovative, engage in productive conflict and debate about ideas, and have fun working together, one can find strong trusting relationships. Having the trust of those you work with is too important not to be intentional about building and maintaining it. With this book, you will learn how to build and maintain strong trusting relationships with others, and repair trust when it is broken, by being intentional and consistent in your language and actions. Understanding and consistently demonstrating trustworthy language and behavior will help you earn and keep the trust of the people you work with.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Trust is the foundation of everything we do and the key leadership competency of the new global economy. The Thin Book of® Trust teaches those traits that will help you earn and keep the trust of those with whom you work. The results will affect the trajectory of your company and your life." --Stephen M.R. Covey, author of the New York Times bestseller The SPEED of Trust

"Everyone talks about trust but few understand what it really means, how it is built or destroyed. Charles Feltman's The Thin Book of® Trust is an excellent guide to understanding the distinctions of trust; sincerity, reliability, competence and care. This is an excellent resource for anyone interested in building trust-based relationships with their clients, colleagues and employees." --Elaine Howard, Chief Talent Officer, Millward Brown

"The is an excellent book on an important subject. It provides a clear explanation of a new way of looking at trust and real, practical ways to build, maintain and rebuild trust. The vignettes provide vivid pictures of how assessments of sincerity, reliability, competence and caring play out in the workplace. The sample conversations about trust are excellent templates. I plan to use this book as a frequent reference for myself, and I will buy it for my clients and for leaders in my organization." --Jim Gorski, Principal Organization Development Consultant, EMA, Inc.

About the Author

Charles Feltman is an executive coach, consultant and facilitator. he coaches executives and managers in developing the thinking, being and doing that constitute the most effective leadership in their organizations. He also coaches teams and workgroups around issues of trust, commitment, conflict, collaboration, and accountability. In addition to coaching and consulting for Fortune 500 companies since 1990, Charles has served as a community mediator and facilitator for the past 30 years. In all of his work he has helped people successfully confront and deal with issues of trust, betrayal and reconciliation in their work, community and personal lives. Prior to beginning his coaching and consulting business, Insight Coaching, Charles was part of the early boom in the Silicon Valley high-tech industry during the 1980s. He also held management positions in higher education administration in the 1970s. Charles holds a Masters degree in Organizational Development from USC and a BA in Psychology from UCSC. He can be reached at: [e-mail]

Product Details

• Paperback: 68 pages
• Publisher: Thin Book Publishing (December 17, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966537394
• ISBN-13: 978-0966537390
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Succinct and Powerful December 21, 2009

By Jim Smith

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

There are a lot of books on Trust out there, and I've read a lot of them in my research. A comparison may help. I do not wish to disparage any of the other fine tomes out there, which approach the topic of Trust in different and powerful ways. But one thing Feltman's title has going for it is that the reader does not need to slog through endless chapters on the research, the studies, the data, and the proof. Another distinction is that he ties Trust to the heart. His four dimensions of Trust are Sincerity, Reliability, Competence, and CARE -- the human connection that is so vitally important. While executives are often very smart and book smart, the reality is that for many of them, reading a book is a luxury of time that they do not have. But this book can be easily read in a short time -- under an hour -- and so I've found that even busy leaders will commit the time to read it. And in the end, it's the accessibility that makes it so good.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous guide to building trust! May 21, 2009

By Judy K. Katz

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Charles has done a wonderful job of defining simple, yet powerful ways to building trust. So many of us don't realize that trust is something that can be deliberately created. He gives us the language of trust and provides examples of conversations that can be used in difficult situations in which trust can be built, not destroyed. A must read for all people who are desiring to have relationships that truly make a difference for the better, both personally and professionally.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally a book that explains, simply, how to create trust. May 24, 2009

By Delia Horwitz

Format:Paperback

So many people complain about not having trust. Finally, a book that gives clear definitions of the four types of trust. Charles Feltman's explanations and suggestions for how to communicate what we need are just what folks have been hungry for. His clear writing style and charts are easy to understand and very practical. I have recommended this book and discussed his approach with dozens of clients who have found it very useful. By explaining trust as specific behaviors, he has given us tools and guidance for repairing broken trust and lessening the frustration often labeled "lost trust." His principles are valuable in all social and personal relationships as well as at work.