Customer Reviews

Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace: Building Effective Relationships in Your Organization

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Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace by Dennis & Michelle Reina This book tackles one of the most pervasive and intractable dynamics which degrade the quality of work relationships and job satisfaction. The contribution that this book makes is to provide models for analyzing how trust is undermined which then suggests ways that it might be restored. It's not helpful to just say "I don't trust him." Using the Reina's model of contractual trust, communication trust and competence trust, you would describe that breakdown more precisely. "I don't trust his behavior - it's too inconsistent" or "I don't trust that I'll get the information I need from him" or "I don't trust that he'll be able to get this job done." With the problem better articulated, it becomes possible to address it and a choice can then be made about whether to do so. The Reina's have made the subjects of Trust and Betrayal the core of their life's work to date and it shows in such simple and profound insights as "Betrayal is an experience determined by the betrayed." This is what organization executives so often miss and which saddles them with disgruntled work forces. The Reina's go on to draw distinctions between intentional and unintentional, and major and minor betrayal. This gives executives a way to understand the dynamic without ladening them or their employees with guilt or defensiveness. The book is full of exercises one can use to gain competence in building trust or repairing trust that has been damaged. It takes a real adult to take responsibility for building and repairing trust rather than just writing off others as being untrustworthy. The Reina's challenge us to be adults.

In their Preface, the Reinas explain: "This book is about trust: the power when it exists, the problems when it doesn't, and the pain when it is betrayed. Our purpose in writing this book is to help people at all levels of the organization to create, support, and rebuild trust in themselves and within their organizations." Here is how their book is organized:

Part I Understanding Trust and Betrayal

Part II Transactional Trust (Three Types)

Part III Transformative Trust

The material consists of sharply-focused analysis, mini-case studies anchored in real-world experiences, a series of checklists, and then at the conclusion of each chapter a summary of key points followed by "Ideas in Action." Together, this combination of analysis and information helps to explain HOW to establish and then sustain trust throughout any organization. The authors also offer some practical advice on how to recover from betrayal, once experienced: Observe and acknowledge what has happened, allow your feelings to surface, get support, reframe the experience, forgive yourself and others, and finally let go and move on. Most of us have experienced betrayal in personal relationships and many of us have also experienced organizational betrayal. It can indeed be painful.

The authors assert that first you must trust yourself; if you don't, you probably cannot or will not trust another person. Next, give trust to others inorder to obtain it. Trust another's character. Years ago, Stan Smith lost a major tennis title to Arthur Ashe after a call against Smith which enraged the crowd. Later, Smith agreed that losing the point was the turning point in the match. He then added, "But if Arthur said my shot was out, that's good enough for me."

Trust another's competence. "I know you can do it. I have total confidence in your abilities." Most of the time (not always), the person told this will then do everything humanly possible to prove worthy of such trust.

Trust those with whom you work closely. Small concentrations of trust within a branch office, department or business unit can frequently develop a momentum which has much wider and deeper impact. That, in essence, is what "transformative trust" is all about. The Reinas explain this quite well in Part III.

The Reinas conclude their book with a series of questions which will help the reader to determine the nature and extent of trust within her orn his own organization, and, to determine what needs to be done to increase it effectively. There is no break-through thinking in this book...nor do the Reinas claim to offer any. Rather, as indicated, their book examines real-world situations which demonstrate either the potential benefits of trust or the destructive consequences of betrayal. For most of those interested in the subject, that should be sufficient.

My boss gave me a copy of this book. Initially, I thought "something to read on the train". What I quickly realized was that this was probably the most straightforward book I've read. It is logical, honest and simple in plan. I find myself using this as a reference guide rather than reading beginning to end. I enjoy going to the sections that I have a particular interest in. It's a comfort book, a reminder to do the things that make us all feel better at the end of the day.

This important piece of work is written in an easy to read format which should be required reading for all business professionals. The book describes the importance of trust and why it is the core issue facing business people today. In our fast paced work lives, we need to be able to trust those we work with. Without that trust, organizations cannot run at an optimal level. I especially like the 7 steps for healing, which suggests that there is a way to establish trust in our workplaces. I plan to use this book the next time I teach Organizational Behavior, because it examines the issue in a manner which I know my students will love. Thank you Michelle and Dennis for this wonderful book!

When I first began to read this book, I thought it would be just like all the others that I had attempted to read but never succeeded in doing so. It didn't take long for me to realize that it did indeed hold the secrets to valuable information that would definitely help me to achieve a sense of freedom in both the work force and also in my personal life. By following the simple instructions, one can fine tune all of the information read and use it to enrich your life and the lives of others. To heal and become productive again in both your personal and professional life is to truly be free. I have reflected back many times when following the 7 steps on healing and betrayal and it has become like a bible to me. Even though problems may occur, I am now able to handle them effectively and I have learned to let go. I once felt strangled and hepless, but now that I have applied these seven steps, I have a clearer sense of control. Thank you Dennis and Michelle for writing this excellent book.

The Reina's develop understandable definitions and offer a well researched and thought out framework for both the development and practice of trust. They also offer practical and accessible vignettes and case studies illustrating the 'trust behaviors' that are so crucial to effective organizations and relationships.

Probably the most powerful part of the book is the section on Betrayal. Betrayal is a huge factor in our lives and we rarely talk about it. This book offers a language, method, and solution for both talking about betrayal and beginning the process of healing from it.

This is an important book for people interested in getting to the root of systemic problems in institutions, families, and relationships.

I highly recommend it!

Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace's genius lies in demystifying "trust". With clarity, depth and a great deal of illuminating pragmaticism, this book offers a concise way of; understanding what different factors build trust within oneself and with others, what levels of trust currently exist in a given situation and a sophisticated and powerful model for healing and moving thru betrayal. Finally, the chapter on "Transformative Trust" reveals an electrifying vision of what is possible when we have a foundation of trust in ourselves, others and the organization.

Trust and Betrayal in the Workplace presents a way of looking at trust that makes sense. And, we need something about trust that makes sense. Trust is a concept that everyone talks about, especially when there isn't enough of it, but few can really understand. The Reinas have created a way of looking at trust that we can understand. They look at three forms of trust (Communication, Contractual, and Competency) which are easy to grasp. Haven't we all had someone break confidence about something we shared with them. Upholding agreements is also a point of concern for us all. I have certainly worried about whether someone was capable of doing what they said they would do. The Reinas also reminds us that this is not just about whether or not we trust others, sometimes we don't trust ourselves in these three areas. Their view of trust quickly leads to concrete things that can be done to build or rebuild trust. They don't just bemoan the impact of betrayal in the workplace, using their model of trust, they provide straightforward ways of recovering. I am using what I learned from the book and when I explain it to others, they like it too. Trust and Betrayal is easy to read and full of very helpful information. I highly recommend this book and urge you to buy and use it too.

Trust is the "operating system" of every relationship and every organization. Think about it. No matter how good your software may be, when your computer's operating system is fragile that software simply cannot perform well. Trust in an organization is about much more than leaving your desk drawer unlocked while you go to lunch. Trust is also about confidence, reliability, competence and other important factors.

This book is about the growing sense of betrayal in the workplace. That sense of betrayal is caused by a range of upheavals including change and transformations like downsizing and mergers. Employees feel betrayed by their leaders and leaders often feel betrayed by their employees.

An unfortunate irony is that organizational change can create conditions that undermine trust at the very time trust is most critical.

The authors discuss four key components of trust:
1. Capacity for trust (how ready we are to trust).
2. Contractural trust (our trust in each other's character and ability to honor promises).
3. Communication trust (our trust in being open and transparent).
4. Competence trust (our trust in the capabilities of ourselves and others).

This is a highly readable and thought-provoking book that's an excellent companion to The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything by Stephen M.R. Covey.

This book contains some very well written information on trust & betrayal, where it comes from, what it causes, and how to address it. I found it very informative and helpful. However I was a bit distracted and disappointed in how focused the book is on marketing of the authors services (training, consulting, etc). The repeated and not so subtitle references to the products and services offered by the authors left me suspicious of the author's intent and agenda, causing me to question the validity of the material. I found it ironic that I felt betrayed by a book on Trust & Betrayal.
So while I would give the material 4 stars, the poorly hidden advertising left a bad taste in my mouth.