#172: Trust through diversity
Trust is a paradox. We trust people who are familiar even though familiarity breeds contempt, not trust.
We tend to trust people who are like us. But the more like-minded we are, the more we take one another for granted and the less attention we pay.
Like-mindedness encourages assumed trust, taken-for-granted trust. This is not real trust, but an automatic response based on expectations of the familiar. Real trust requires individuality openly expressed. And individuality expressed is diversity made visible.
Here’s the problem. Most organizations are institutions of sameness, intolerant of individuality and fearful of diversity. Hence all the rules and regulations.
If you want real trust in the work place, then encourage diversity. Diversity may be uncomfortable, but diversity is strength because it encourages trust.
I’m james@nonsenseatwork.com
Copyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio, 88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA.
Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
We tend to trust people who are like us. But the more like-minded we are, the more we take one another for granted and the less attention we pay.
Like-mindedness encourages assumed trust, taken-for-granted trust. This is not real trust, but an automatic response based on expectations of the familiar. Real trust requires individuality openly expressed. And individuality expressed is diversity made visible.
Here’s the problem. Most organizations are institutions of sameness, intolerant of individuality and fearful of diversity. Hence all the rules and regulations.
If you want real trust in the work place, then encourage diversity. Diversity may be uncomfortable, but diversity is strength because it encourages trust.
I’m james@nonsenseatwork.com
Copyright: 2008 James Henry McIntosh
James can be heard on Public Radio, 88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA.
Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
posted by James Henry McIntosh at
9:15 PM
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