Ken Buist

Article 1 of 12 in the
Trustworthiness series

Introduction

Trust and temperament

Definition of trust

Characteristics

Trustworthiness Quotient

Dependability

Integrity

Credibility

Empathy

Self-interest

Inconsistency

Summary

Trustworthiness Quotient

Trustworthiness defined and measured

My definition is:

"Trustworthiness is keeping one's word and being worthy of others' confidence: sound in principles, full of integrity, reliable and dependable"

My measurement is the Trustworthiness Quotient™, a method for monitoring personal progress to Trustworthiness.

Why measure trustworthiness?

I think should we should all do this from time to time, to:

• make concepts tangible that are otherwise intangible
  
  
• provide a methodology that enables you to construct a "Trustworthy Pathway"
  
  
• enable you to benchmark your trustworthiness against that of others
  
  
• measure your own progress along the pathway

The Trustworthiness Quotient

In their excellent book "The Trusted Adviser" Maister, Green & Galford, described the trust equation, in which they stated what they felt were the four key ingredients of trust. I am indebted to them for this concept but would like to offer an expanded but different approach - "The Trustworthiness Quotient" (TTQ). Simply stated, TTQ says that trustworthiness is comprised of several elements:

• Dependability

  Have you consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver on commitments during advisory interactions?

• Integrity

  Have you displayed personal as well as business ethics and commitment to mutual success to the client?

• Credibility

  Have individual competence, process and methodologies for success been proven over time?

• Empathy

  Have you demonstrated 'buy in' for the client's personal and business vision that involves true partnership?

These are dependent upon the degree to which you demonstrate, with each interaction:

• Self-Interest

  To what extent do you appear interested only in your success?

• InConsistency

  Does how you operate appear incongruent to the client?

The Trusworthiness Quotient is therefore:

©2006 Ken Buist

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