★★★☆☆ March 20, 2008
Stephen M.R. Covey, the son, was head of training for his father's company.

The book is needlessly long and I didn't need to be sold on the value of trust (which is 
why the book is so long), hence, why the 3 star rating. Long sections of the book are 
very general and boring and I kept thinking how the book could have been netted down. 
I recommend the book, recommend skimming the boring examples and felt that along with 
the Economics of Trust, all that a reader needs on the important subject of trust.

The practical advice Trust includes five waves of trust (self trust based on the 
principle of credibility, relationship trust based on the principle of proper 
behavior, organizational trust based on the principle of alignment, market trust 
based on the principle of reputation, and societal trust based on the principle 
of contribution). Most of the book is taken up with examining those five waves 
and their underlying principles.

He makes the point that trust is comprised of two basic elements: essentially character 
and competency.

The core of the book is in the 13 behaviors that have been shown research wise to establish 
trust (talk straight, demonstrate respect, create transparency, right wrongs, show loyalty, 
get better, confront reality, clarify expectations, practice accountability, listen first, 
keep commitments, and extend trust). He applies the concept of emotional bank accounts from 
his father's book to explain that a deposit for one person may be a withdrawal for another.

Each section of the book comes with ways to check on your performance and to create plans 
for improvement.

business-management life