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Increase trust, reduce fear

“The most critical challenge for any organization is to enlarge the circle of trust.”

Command-and-control systems reflect a deep mistrust of employees’ commitment and competence. They also tend to overemphasize sanctions as a way of forcing compliance. That’s why so many organizations are filled with anxious employees who are hesitant to take the initiative or trust their own judgment. Organizational adaptability, innovation, and employee engagement can only thrive in a high-trust, low-fear culture. In such an environment, information is widely shared, contentious opinions are freely expressed, and risk taking is encouraged. Fear paralyzes, mistrust demoralizes—they must be wrung out of our management systems.

124 Stories
236 Hacks
22 Barriers

Increase trust, reduce fear

“The most critical challenge for any organization is to enlarge the circle of trust.”

Command-and-control systems reflect a deep mistrust of employees’ commitment and competence. They also tend to overemphasize sanctions as a way of forcing compliance. That’s why so many organizations are filled with anxious employees who are hesitant to take the initiative or trust their own judgment. Organizational adaptability, innovation, and employee engagement can only thrive in a high-trust, low-fear culture. In such an environment, information is widely shared, contentious opinions are freely expressed, and risk taking is encouraged. Fear paralyzes, mistrust demoralizes—they must be wrung out of our management systems.

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Corporate politics are a drag on innovation and employee engagement.  Too many managers are worried about not rocking the boat or aligning themselves with the right corporate officer to ensure th
Story by Stuart Thompson on September 16, 2010
It begins with you! In the greater sense of all aspects there are no cultural differences. Many of today’s existing, foremost believed cultures are simply pictured by different markets environments.
Story by Hans Soentgerath on November 7, 2010
There a 2 slides from the Equality Trust's "Spirit Level" web site.  They show the statistical co-relation between levels of trust and income inequality.  The core message is that in countri
Hack by John H Pearce on October 10, 2010
Give every employee some money to spend on realizing ideas to improve the business. Allow for  "pooling" of the money between employees.
Story by Joerg Schwartze on June 29, 2010
In modern societies, job precarity has become more and more the norm.
Hack by IMD MBA Group 2 on November 7, 2010
Who wants to join me in a cup of C.O.F.F.E.E.
Hack by Robert Paris on October 13, 2011
Organizations could evaluate employee job performance by measuring "on the job behavior", citizenship behavior, and personal growth and development.
Hack by Mikeys on August 22, 2010
Dear anti-bureaucrats.I've come across a human tech, so to speak, that is straight forward and may enable you to obtain a turbo boost on your skills.
Hack by Michael Scheelhardt on April 16, 2011
Google "Leadership Fear or Love" and you will get views, articles and books from Machiavelli to John Hope Bryant.
Hack by Victor Kwan on January 31, 2013
We talk a lot about how important communication is.  Communication within our organizations is one of the easiest, most valuable tools we have, and we don't always find a way to use it properly.&
Story by Michelle Paitich on September 20, 2010

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