The Speed of Trust in God's Eyes: Project

Character and Competance

"Once you become aware that both character and competence are vital to trust, you can see how the combination of these two dimensions is reflected in the approach of effective leaders and observers everywhere. People might use different words to express the idea, but if you reduce the words to their essence, what emerges is a balancing of character and competence." Page 31.

Character: Integrity and Intent

Competance: Capabilities and Results

Scripture

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Credibility Core #1 - Integrity

Defining Integrity - Congruent + Humility + Courage

Congruent: walk-the-talk, acting in harmony with deepest values.

Humility: a humble person is more concerned about what is right than about being right, about acting on good ideas than having the ideas, about embracing new truth than defending outdated position, about building the team than exalting self, about recognizing contribution than being recognized for making it.

Courage: having the courage to do the right thing - even when it's hard.

Scripture

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Credibility Core #2 - Intent

What is Intent? - Motive + Agenda + Behavior

Motive: your reason for doing something. It's the "why" that motivates the "what."

Agenda: it grows out of motive. It is what you intend to do or promotive because of your motive.

Behavior: it is the manifestation of motive and agenda.

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Credibility Core #3 - Capabilities

T. A. S. K. S

Talents: our natural gifts and strengths

Attitude: our paradigms - our ways of seeing, as well as our ways of being

Skills: our proficiencies, the things we can do well.

Knowledge: our learning, insight, understanding, and awareness

Style: our unique approach and personality

Evaluation and Correction. To maintain capabilities, one must engage in the discipline of robust evaluation and correction.
Scripture

Test everything; hold fast to what is good. Flee from what is evil. 1 Thessalonians 5: 20,21

Positive Profile - Joshua 11: 16-23. Joshua got the job done (MSB, 257)

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Credibility Core #4: Results

Question to ask: What is your track record?

Results Matter!

They matter to your credibility. They matter to your ability to establish and maintain trust with others.

In considering results, you always need to ask two critical questions: What results am I getting? and How am I getting those results? Most people only ask the what. They have no idea that the answer to the how may be doing them in.

Note: Covey gives 2 1/2 pages of "Defining Results" in the book that warrants reading and understanding what he is writing (pages 115 -118).

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Behavior #1: Talk Straight

What Talking Straight is -

Telling the truth and leaving the right impression
Being honest
Let people know where you stand
Not manipulating people or distorting facts
Not spinning the truth
Not leaving false impressions

The "Counterfeit" to Talking Straight is -

Beating around the bush
Spinning the truth
Being technical and leaving a false impression
Double-talking
Withholding information

Scripture

Colossians 4:6: Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer everyone.
Proverbs 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue
Proverbs 12:22: "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy."
Ephesians 4:25: "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body."

Here are a few notable examples:

1. Jesus Christ

Honesty and Clarity: Jesus was known for speaking the truth, even when it was difficult or unpopular. He addressed issues directly and often challenged the religious leaders of His time with straightforward messages.
Example: In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus confronts the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, calling them "whitewashed tombs" (Matthew 23:27). He didn’t shy away from speaking the truth about their behavior and the need for genuine righteousness.

2. Nathan the Prophet

Courage and Directness: Nathan demonstrated "talking straight" when he confronted King David about his sin with Bathsheba.
Example: In 2 Samuel 12, Nathan tells David a parable about a rich man who takes a poor man's only lamb. When David reacts with anger, Nathan directly tells him, "You are the man!" (2 Samuel 12:7), revealing David's sin and calling him to repentance.

3. John the Baptist

Boldness and Integrity: John the Baptist was known for his bold and direct preaching, calling people to repentance and challenging the moral failings of both the general populace and the leaders.
Example: In Luke 3:7-14, John addresses the crowds, calling them a "brood of vipers" and urging them to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. He also rebukes Herod Antipas for his unlawful marriage (Luke 3:19-20).

4. Paul the Apostle

Sincerity and Directness: Paul was straightforward in his letters to the early churches, addressing issues head-on and providing clear guidance and correction.
Example: In his letter to the Galatians, Paul confronts Peter publicly for his hypocrisy regarding Gentile believers (Galatians 2:11-14). Paul’s direct approach aimed at maintaining the integrity of the Gospel message.

5. Moses

Leadership and Transparency: Moses demonstrated honesty and direct communication as he led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness.
Example: When Moses received the Ten Commandments, he communicated them clearly to the people and held them accountable to God's standards (Exodus 20). He also confronted the Israelites directly when they sinned, such as the incident with the golden calf (Exodus 32).

Summary

These biblical figures exemplified "talking straight" through their honesty, clarity, courage, and integrity. They communicated openly and directly, even when the message was difficult, thereby earning trust and respect. Their examples highlight the importance of truthfulness and straightforward communication in building trust and leading effectively.

There are several Biblical instances where people did not demonstrate "talking straight" well. Here are a few notable examples:

1. Ananias and Sapphira

Deception and Lack of Transparency: Ananias and Sapphira sold a piece of property and kept back part of the proceeds while claiming to have donated the entire amount to the apostles.
Example: In Acts 5:1-11, Peter exposes their deception, and both are struck dead for lying to the Holy Spirit and the community. Their failure to talk straight and be honest had severe consequences.

2. Jacob (in his early years)

Deceit and Manipulation: Before his transformation, Jacob used deceit to gain his brother Esau's birthright and blessing.
Example: In Genesis 27, Jacob deceives his father, Isaac, by pretending to be Esau to receive the blessing meant for his brother. This act of dishonesty leads to family strife and Jacob fleeing for his life.

3. King Saul

Inconsistent Communication and Broken Promises: King Saul frequently failed to speak and act consistently, leading to mistrust and confusion among his people and advisors.
Example: In 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeys God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions, yet he claims to have obeyed God fully. When confronted by Samuel, Saul initially lies and then shifts the blame onto the people.

4. Peter (before Pentecost)

Denial and Fear: Peter denied knowing Jesus three times out of fear despite having previously declared his unwavering loyalty.
Example: In Luke 22:54-62, Peter denies Jesus three times, failing to stand by his earlier commitment and speaking dishonestly to save himself from potential harm.

5. The False Prophets

Falsehoods and Flattery: False prophets in the Old Testament often told people what they wanted to hear rather than speaking God’s truth.
Example: In Jeremiah 14:13-16, false prophets are condemned for giving false assurances of peace when God had declared impending judgment. Their lack of honesty misled the people and resulted in disaster.

Summary

These examples highlight the negative consequences of failing to "talk straight" in various ways, such as deceit, inconsistency, and fear-driven dishonesty. Such behavior led to broken trust, conflict, and severe repercussions, demonstrating the importance of honesty, transparency, and integrity in communication.

Behavior #2: Demonstrate Respect

What Demonstrating Respect is -

Genuinely caring for others
Showing you care
Respecting the dignity of every person and every role
Treat everyone with respect, especially those who can't do anything for you
Show kindness in the littel things
Don't fake caring
Don't attempt to be efficient with people

What Demonstrating Respect is not -

Faking respect or concern
Not showing respect or concern
Showing respect or concern to some but not everyone

Scripture

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Behavior #3: Create Transparency

What Creating Transparency is -

Tell the truth in a way people can verify
Get real and genuine
be open and authentic
err on the side of disclosure
Operate on the premise of "What you see is what you get"
Don't have hidden agendas
Don't hide information

What Creating Transparency is not -

Hiding, covering, or being obscure
Failing to disclose
Pretending
Making things appear different than they really are

Behavior #4: Right Wrongs

Behavior #5: Show Loyalty

Behavior #6: Deliver Results

Behavior #7: Get Better

Scripture

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God – what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.
Colossians 1:10 so that you may live worthily of the Lord and please him in all respects – bearing fruit in every good deed, growing in the knowledge of God,

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Behavior #8: Confront Reality

Scripture

James 1:2-4 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

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Behavior #9: Clarify Expectations

Scripture

Colossians 1:28-29 We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ. 1:29 Toward this goal I also labor, struggling according to his power that powerfully works in me.

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Behavior #10: Practice Accountability

Behavior #11: Listen First

Scripture

“…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”

James 1:19

What Listen First is

Listen before you speak.
Understand.
Diagnose.
Listen with your ears – and your eyes and heart.
Find out what the most important behaviors are to the people you’re working with.
Don’t assume you know what matters most to others.
Don’t presume you have all the answers – or all the questions.

What Listen First is not –

To speak first and listen last, or
Not to listen at all

What can seem like Listening First, but is just a counterfeit -

Listening without understanding
Pretending to listen
Spending “listening” time formulating your reply
Focusing only on getting out your agenda.

Behavior #12: Keep Commitments

Behavior #13: Extend Trust

What's the Project about?

This Project is about what the Bible says about the overal aspect of what Stephen M.R. Covey calls The Speed of Trust.

In particular, I'm searching out the scriptures that support Covey's 4 Cores of Credibilty and 13 Behaviors. I'm also looking for stories that tell about how God has used this large definition of trust in the lives of believers.

Of course, it would not be a good project if descrepancies were not also pointed out and I welcome those discussions also.

This is meant to be a living and time-tested project, not something that I intend to be finished any time soon. I want to see what God shows me and others and then test them against the reality of life; what God teaches me over time and through trials and triumphs.

So, if this interests you, please join-in, comment, and keep coming back to this site.

God Bless

What is "The Speed of Trust?"

The Speed of Trust is a book written by Stephen M.R. Covey. He is the eldest son of Stephen R. Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.

Mr. Covey (the son) writes about how results increase as trust increases. He further cuts through the fog and specifically defines two large parts of trust followed by four core parts and then thirteen behaviors one can practice to increase one's trust.

After 1st reading the book in mid-2007, I've studied and taught its principles, given away many copies, included it in my mandatory reading list for those I coach/mentor, practiced the principles myself and spent 3 days with members of his CoveyLink team to strengthen my understanding of the phylosopy behind the principles. I can say without a doubt that what he preaches works in the real world.

This Project is meant to add to what Mr. Covey has written and practices. My purpose is to purely give me and others the scripture references and stories to show how God is gloried through these practices.

I've tried to be as brief as possible with direct quotes from the book in the postings, but much of the content, except for scripture and such references is from "The Speed of Trust." as times goes on, I'll properly footnote the references.

There have been few, if any, books I've recommended that have had as many unsolicited comments come back to me as this book - and I've read and recommended many (http://leadingwellbyreadingwell.blogspot.com/ . The book is chalked full of stories and suggestions on how to increase trust with yourself and others.

A great read.

The format of the website requires a chronological order. Therefore the dates in these materials do not coincide with the true date the information was input. November 15, 2008, is the date I set the site up and laid out the big picture points from Covey's Speed of Trust. I expect that all of those points will be discussed. Any new subject titles will be posted as warranted and will probably have the same 11/15 date, but comments and contributions by you and me will be real time. Note that each posting has some of Mr. Covey's definition and then I'll add scripture references from my own studies and applications and/or your contributions I receive in the posting comments.