Nooo…that’s a desirable outcome, not a ‘thing’ that you can decide to do…. or command from others.
We can’t simply say that we will trust each other, and this be so!
Context: I’ve experienced several work scenarios where, after studying the work, people have concluded that there is a problem with a lack of trust.
I’m not disputing that this can be the case. On the contrary, this doesn’t surprise me.
However, in the rush to want this situation to change, we often find the simplistic treatment to be the issuing of a statement such as (from now on) ‘We will trust each other’…or words to that effect.
Definition of the word ‘Trust’:
“A firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something” (Oxford)
The key point (underlined) in the definition is that it is a belief – it is something that we think (an opinion we hold), not something we do.
We don’t have a choice about trust1. It’s a result – we either do or don’t.
And so trust, when it is earned, is an outcome. It is not something that can be put in a policy or plan and implemented.
The paradox of trust: we all want it…but first we must earn it…and then we must work hard to retain it.
“Trust arrives on a tortoise and leaves on a horse.” (Dutch Proverb)
Digging into what you’ve found: If you’ve found an issue with trust then, rather than merely wishing it away, a useful direction to take would be to really study why this is the case.
Any issues of trust will be down to the design of the existing system (i.e. structural) and the thinking (presuppositions) behind this…not merely a choice that the people within are making.
“People’s behaviour is a product of their system. It is only by changing the system that we can expect a change in their behaviour.” (Seddon)
Footnotes
1. Just to clarify: Whilst (per the definition) we don’t have a choice about trust (it being a belief we hold), we do have a choice about our actions and attitudes – i.e. what we do about it.
Squire to the Giants 
Trust can be interpersonal (one-to-one – e.g. Steve trusts Annette, Paula doesn’t trust Pervez) – and shades of grey e.g. X trusts Y a lot, A trusts B little.
Also, trust can be groups-oriented too. Both internal (teams, business functions, the organisation as a whole) and external (customers, suppliers, regulators, and the organisation).
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Yes, thanks for adding these points that expand on the topic of trust.
Interestingly (and sadly), I’ve just been watching Paula Vennells giving evidence at the UK Post Office inquiry and she used the word ‘trust’ too…but as a defence! As in “I was too trusting of others”
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There’s another way apart from the binary trust/don’t trust and that is the old Chinese saying:
“Trust only those you don’t need to trust.”
Not needing to trust people means that that those people know it’s in their interests to support you or know that if they step on you they’ll face devastating consequences.
Cynical? Maybe but very pragmatic and as both a project team member and other times a project leader this is a very effective way to handle situations. Not the only way but one way.
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