Management Basics: Trust: The Glue That Holds Partnerships Together

Abstract

The only way to make a man trustworthy is to trust him. Henry Stimson (1867 - 1950) Do not trust all men, but trust men of worth; the former course is silly, the latter a mark of prudence. Democritus (460 BC - 370 BC) Trust, or “an individual’s belief in, and willingness to act on the basis of, the words, actions, and decisions of another”, is one of the most important components of partnerships. Without it, groups experience suspicion, defensiveness, and harmful conflict. With it, partnerships can thrive as people comfortably come together to collaborate and share ideas openly. An understanding of trust—what it is, how it develops, and how it can be repaired—is important for anyone planning to partner with others.