In this issue…

• A Crisis of Trust
• Communicating for Collaboration
• Armstrong Results Forum

Join our Mailing List

Armstrong Results

Trust! Most people know that trust is essential for building any relationship, be that with a client, co-worker, supplier or spouse. Yet often we take that trust for granted. That very assumption is dangerous; just ask the financial institutions after this recent financial crisis. When we are not willing to earn trust over and over again, we are risking the relationship and risking our business.

On the other hand, when you grant another person trust, it ought to be coupled with discernment. As Lorne points out in his article, ‘A Crisis of Trust’, we are not speaking about blind trust. You might trust your colleague to make a business presentation to a key client but do you trust that person to fly the plane to your meeting?

Trust is not a blank slate. Maintaining and building sufficient trust to accomplish anything of significance takes being wise and it takes staying awake.

What is really exciting is that as trust grows in your relationships, you will have the foundation for even more significant accomplishments.

Enjoy!

Lorne Armstrong & Kris Bury

A Crisis of Trust
by Lorne Armstrong

A financial crisis is making headlines but the financial mess is the fallout; not the real crisis. The financial crunch is not likely to be the most significant fallout; the real crunch is a trust crunch.

It doesn’t take a genius to recognize the house of cards: risky mortgages rapidly churned out in a fantasy of a never ending increase in property values, repackaged in obscure ways, subsequently rated as low risk, combined with illusory insurance and sold to “trusting” clients by institutions with insufficient resources to withstand a crisis of trust.

We will never really know but their financial modeling likely indicated they could withstand market slowdowns or the odd hiccup in cash flow. Clearly, and tragically, they did not factor in a crisis of trust.

Trust and transparency determine your leadership capacity

The lesson here is clear. Trust is essential to leadership; trust is essential to accomplishment; trust is essential to staying in business. If there is insufficient trust – with colleagues, “bosses” or those to whom you would provide leadership – not much of significance will get accomplished. Insufficient trust with clients, others in your industry or suppliers can mean the end of your business – even if you have been in business for decades and previously enjoyed a good reputation.

Trust can take decades to establish and be vaporized in an instant.

Full article…

Communicating for Collaboration

All around us there are complex issues that are calling to be addressed and resolved; climate change, terrorism, economic reform to name a few. These will not be resolved by a few experts or some dynamic leader who will take charge. There is an urgent call for us to develop a more powerful way of working through complex problems and coming to a resolution that has people aligned, engaged and in action.

Real collaboration is the only way we can reach a sound resolution that fits what’s called for and aligns people’s strengths and intentions. Communication that builds on people’s strengths and differences and doesn’t diminish them to some sort of compromise. Communication where consensus is not the answer. Communication that results in real collaboration, real synergy and real teamwork.

If you are interested in that kind of communication, please call us.

For more information...

Armstrong Results Forum

In times of difficulty, people have a tendency to withdraw, protect, or ‘sit it out’. A far more powerful and proactive approach would be to hear the call for collaboration and creativity and respond to that!

These times do call for appropriate discernment and fresh thinking. It is a grave mistake to think that will arise from disconnection and protection. It is through connecting with others and engaging in communication that is creative and collaborative that people can resolve difficulties in a new way.

It is often in times of hardship that people shine and real innovation occurs. As we face the challenges of today, will you hunker down or will you be one of the people who step up to the plate?

How are you approaching the current challenges? What’s your strategy? We’d love to hear from you.

Please email us at ideas@ArmstrongResults.com.

For more information…

     Areas of Focus

• Identify the REAL Issue
• Develop Leadership
• Accelerate Accomplishment
• Embed Powerful Communication

About Us

Armstrong Consulting Group works with senior leaders and teams to develop people and build performance in their organization.

Please give us a call if you are interested in...

• Having trust be a power for you and your company
• Communication that develops real collaboration, synergy and teamwork
• Instilling a culture of creativity
• Building a community of leaders in your organization

We hope you have enjoyed this issue of our newsletter!

Lorne Armstrong & Kris Bury

email: kris@armstrongresults.com
phone: 403-609-4622
web: www.armstrongresults.com