Synopses & Reviews
Nothing can undermine a relationship more completely than lack of trust. In business, politics, marriage, indeed in any significant relationship, trust is the essential precondition upon which all real success depends. But what, precisely, is trust? How can it be achieved and sustained? And, most importantly, how can it be regained once it has been broken?
In Building Trust, Robert C. Solomon and Fernando Flores offer compelling answers to these questions. They argue that trust is not something that simply exists from the beginning, something we can assume or take for granted; that it is not a static quality, or some semi-mystical atmosphere or "social glue." Instead, they assert that trust is an emotional skill, an active and dynamic part of our lives that we build and sustain with our promises and commitments, our emotions and integrity. In looking closely at the effects of mistrust--from insidious office politics that can sabotage a company's efficiency, to national politics rife with cynicism, to marriages that must be protected by prenuptial agreement--Solomon and Flores demonstrate how to move from naïve trust that is easily shattered to an authentic trust that is sophisticated, reflective, and possible to renew. The key to creating such trust, they show, is communication, a willingness to bring an uncomfortable subject into the open where its processes can be analyzed, understood, and rationally negotiated.
As the global economy makes us more and more reliant on "strangers," and as our political and personal relationships become more complex, Building Trust offers invaluable insight into a quality none of us can flourish without.
Review
"Trust is easy to break, hard to build, and more important than ever. Our increasingly fluid, network economy depends on trusting relationships. Solomon and Flores offer valuable insights into the subtle dynamics of trust. It's not as simple as you might think, but their treatment of the topic is lucid and intelligent." Jay Ogilvy, Co-founder and Managing Director, Global Business Network
Review
"This is a book about trust that you can trust to be comprehensive, creative, and interestingly iconoclastic. Solomon and Flores argue that trust sustains all forms of human relationships. They claim that without trust Hobbes would have been right life would be nasty, brutish, and short! This concise book alters and adds to the debate on trust, and is a gift and a challenge to its readers." Al Gini, Associate Editor, Business Ethics Quarterly
Synopsis
In business, politics, marriage, indeed in any significant relationship, trust is the essential precondition upon which all real success depends. But what, precisely, is trust? How can it be achieved and sustained? And, most importantly, how can it be regained once it has been broken?
In Building Trust, Robert C. Solomon and Fernando Flores offer compelling answers to these questions. They argue that trust is not something that simply exists from the beginning, something we can assume or take for granted; that it is not a static quality or "social glue." Instead, they assert that trust is an emotional skill, an active and dynamic part of our lives that we build and sustain with our promises and commitments, our emotions and integrity. In looking closely at the effects of mistrust, such as insidious office politics that can sabotage a company's efficiency, Solomon and Flores demonstrate how to move from naive trust that is easily shattered to an authentic trust that is sophisticated, reflective, and possible to renew. As the global economy makes us more and more reliant on "strangers," and as our political and personal interactions become more complex, Building Trust offers invaluable insight into a vital aspect of human relationships.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [167]-174) and index.
About the Author
Robert C. Solomon is the Quincy Lee Centennial Professor of Business and Philosophy at the University of Texas, Austin. His books include
A Short History of Philosophy and
Business Ethics
Fernando Flores is Presidente, Fundacion Chile (a Chilean non-governmental organization) and Chairman and CEO of Business Design Associates, Inc.
Table of Contents
PREFACE
INTRODUCTION
1. TRUSTING TRUST
Trust on Trial
Alternatives to Trust: Fear, Control, Power
Distrust: "Paranoia" and Cynicism
Basic Trust
Trusting Strangers: The Global Society
Talking about Trust
Building Trust
2. UNDERSTANDING AND MISUNDERSTANDING TRUST
How We Misunderstand Trust
Simple Trust
Blind Trust
Trust and Reliance: The Mechanization of Trust
Whom Can You Trust?
Two Virtues: Trust and Trustworthiness
Conditional Trust
Beyond Competence
Trust as Medium: The Most Insidious Misunderstanding
3. AUTHENTIC TRUST
From Simple Trust to Authentic Trust
Authentic Trust
Trust as Emotion
Trust as Mood
Trust as Background and as "Medium"
Self-Trust, Self-Confidence
Knowing Self-Trust
Emotional Self-Trust
Breaches and Betrayals of Trust
Trust, Hope, and Forgiveness
Authentic Trust and Leadership: Disclosing New Worlds
CONCLUSION: BUILDING AUTHENTIC TRUST
NOTES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX