Trust and Inspire

Book excerpt: From the bestselling author of The Speed of Trust and Smart Trust, a revolutionary new way to lead. Stephen M. R. Covey has made it his life's work to understand trust in leadership and organizations. In his newest and most transformative book, Trust and Inspire, he makes the compelling argument that even though our world has changed drastically, our leadership style has not. Most organizations, teams, schools, and families today still operate from a model of "command and control," focusing on hierarchies and compliance from people. But because of the changing nature of the world, the workforce, work itself, and the choices we have for where and how to work and live, these old rules of leadership no longer apply. Covey's solution is simple, yet bold: a shift from this "command and control" model to a leadership style of "trust and inspire." Covey challenges our beliefs about people and leadership that have been deeply engrained in management approaches for decades. Trust and Inspire is a new way of leading that starts with the belief that people are creative, collaborative, and full of potential. People with this kind of leader are inspired to become the best version of themselves and to produce their best work. People don't want to be managed; they want to be led. Trust and Inspire is the solution to the future of work: where a dispersed workforce will be the norm, necessitating trust and collaboration across time zones, cultures, personalities, and technology. Trust and Inspire calls for a radical shift in the way we lead in the 21st century, and Covey shows us how.