Trust Works!

About the Author

Ken Blanchard is a renowned management expert, the Chief Spiritual Officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, and the author of several bestselling books including the famous "One Minute Manager" series, which has sold more than 15 million copies and been translated into over 25 languages. Blanchard is highly regarded for his insights on leadership and organizational behavior.

Cynthia Olmstead founded TrustWorks Group in 1987, focusing on organizational development and the role of trust in successful organizational change initiatives. Her expertise in group development and understanding of trust dynamics led to the creation of the TrustWorks!™ framework.

Martha Lawrence is an executive at The Ken Blanchard Companies with a background in publishing as a former editor at Simon & Schuster and Harcourt. Her editorial experience and insights contribute significantly to the practical applications of trust in professional settings.

Main Idea

The core message of "TRUST WORKS! Four Keys to Building Lasting Relationships" is that trust is essential for the success of both personal and professional relationships. The book introduces the ABCD Trust Model™, which organizes trust-building behaviors into four main groups: Able (demonstrate competence), Believable (act with integrity), Connected (care about others), and Dependable (maintain credibility). The authors use a parable involving a family and their pets to illustrate these principles in an engaging and relatable way, emphasizing that trust is built through consistent, trustworthy behavior over time.

Table of Contents

1. A Tale of Trust
2. The ABCD Trust Model™
3. Trust Busters & Trust Boosters
4. Rebuilding Damaged Trust
5. A Message for Leaders

A Tale of Trust

The book begins with a parable about the Berryhill family, who live in a country home with their pets: Whiskers the cat, Woof the dog, Presley the wise old parrot, Harriet the hamster, and Wiggles the goldfish. The story focuses on the tension between Whiskers and Woof, symbolizing common trust issues in relationships. Mr. Berryhill faces challenges at work, where his boss questions his abilities, and at home, where the ongoing conflict between Whiskers and Woof disrupts family harmony.

Presley the parrot introduces the concept of trust to both the animals and the humans, guiding them through the ABCD Trust Model™. Mrs. Berryhill applies these principles to help her husband regain the trust of his boss, demonstrating that trust is vital in all aspects of life.

The ABCD Trust Model™

The ABCD Trust Model™ is a framework that helps individuals understand and improve their trustworthiness through four key behaviors:

Able: Demonstrate Competence

To be trusted, one must demonstrate competence. This involves showing that you are capable and skilled in your responsibilities. For instance, Woof digs a hole under the fence to help Whiskers, demonstrating his ability to be trusted. Similarly, Mr. Berryhill commits to improving his performance at work and seeks mentors to help him, showing his boss that he can be trusted.