by Jay Donohue, CAE, KCSAE Director
Next month’s KCSAE Educational Program focuses on how one can be a participant in creating a work culture of trust. For me, it has always been a fundamental responsibility in my role as an association executive to not only create, but to also maintain and commit to a High Trust culture every single work day.
Last January I read a blog from the Huffington Post. In the blog they shared the recommendations from Paul Zak, a professor at Claremont Graduate University, who has studied the connection between trust and performance in business organizations all over the world.
Paul says that trust is the key to a good culture. He cites eight leadership actions to build the great cultures we need today – especially with the rapid infusion of the millennial generation of workers.
- Show appreciation for individual contributions. ...
- Make sure everyone knows what you expect. ...
- Let team members take control of their work. ...
- Flatten management levels. ...
- Share more information about the business.
- Practice employee caring and empathy
- Invest in employee’s careers and personal growth
- Demonstrate honesty and vulnerability
And I would personally add: Be a model of integrity, morality, and the highest of ethics.
I have spent many years working in various organizations and each with its own unique culture. Modifying a culture is equally as challenging as change is. Both are equally difficult. And if you do make efforts to improve a negative culture – you need to get commitments from top to bottom – leaders, members & staff. It is time consuming and potentially hurtful.
Come to next month’s meeting to see what else you could learn and take back to your association to help participate in fostering that High-Trust culture.