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BARBARA KIMMEL INTERVIEWS RANDY CONLEY,<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b>DIRECTOR OF CLIENT SERVICES AND TRUST PRACTICE LEADER AT THE KEN BLANCHARD COMPANIES<\/b><\/p>\n
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Barbara Kimmel:<\/i><\/b> Randy – tell us a bit about your background, qualifications and expertise. If you have written a book, please provide the title.<\/i><\/p>\n
Randy Conley:<\/b> I\u2019ve been a part of The Ken Blanchard companies for nearly seventeen years, where I hold two roles: Director of Client Services and Trust Practice Leader. I think my dual role allows me to have a \u201creal world\u201d perspective when I work with clients to help them improve their abilities to build trust in their leadership practices. I have a Master\u2019s Degree in Executive Leadership from the University of San Diego, and although I haven\u2019t written a book (yet!), I do quite a bit of writing on my blog (www.leadingwithtrust.com<\/a>). On the personal side, my wife and I are celebrating our 25th<\/sup> wedding anniversary this year and our relationship has definitely been a living laboratory on the importance of trust in relationships!<\/p>\n Barbara Kimmel:<\/i><\/b> Trust Across America’s mission is to rebuild trustworthy business behavior across the globe.\u00a0 How would you generally define trustworthy business behavior?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Randy Conley<\/b>: I would define trustworthy business behavior as \u201cdoing the right thing\u201d regardless of the circumstances. This applies to individual leaders as well as organizations as a whole. Of course there are many different components that fall under the umbrella of \u201cdoing the right thing\u201d and that\u2019s the beauty of the trust alliance Trust Across America has put together. bit.ly\/13TX5Kj<\/a> All of us have strengths and passions in the different aspects of trustworthy business behavior and together we can make a big difference in organizations around the world.<\/p>\n Barbara Kimmel:<\/i><\/b> <\/b>In your opinion, what\u00a0are some of the specific components of trustworthy business behavior?<\/i><\/p>\n Randy Conley:<\/b> My specific focus is the component of interpersonal trust. I believe that trustworthy business practices start at the individual level. How do you and I build trust as leaders and members of an organization? Once you\u2019re clear on that, then I think you can apply the same principles and practices to the other areas of your business such as organizational governance, sustainability, public relations, brand management, etc.<\/p>\n Barbara Kimmel:<\/i><\/b> We all know that the erosion of corporate trust is a big problem. What are companies doing to combat this, and is it enough?<\/i><\/p>\n Randy Conley<\/b>: Some companies, not enough, but some are starting to \u201cget it\u201d when it comes to understanding the value of being trustworthy organizations. They are realizing that being trustworthy is not just the right thing to do in terms of ethical business practices, but there are bottom-line economic benefits to being trustworthy.<\/p>\n Barbara Kimmel:<\/i><\/b> Is the global “trust” climate improving or worsening? What actions will turn things around?<\/i><\/p>\n Randy Conley:<\/b> When you look at the various surveys and reports it appears that the climate of trust isn\u2019t improving. It\u2019s been at historic lows and is continuing to stay there. Leaders have to take specific, proactive steps to build and maintain trust with their stakeholders. Trust doesn\u2019t \u201cjust happen\u201d over time. It takes intentional effort over an extended period of time.<\/p>\n Barbara Kimmel:<\/i><\/b> Can you provide a few examples of companies that are doing the “right” thing in your opinion? What steps are being taken by these companies that sets them apart?<\/i><\/p>\n Randy Conley<\/b>: I think Whole Foods is a good example. Their CEO, John Mackey, is a proponent of trustworthy business behavior and puts specific focus on it as part of how he runs his company. I also work with a range of companies, from those in the Fortune 500 to small businesses that understand the importance of trust and are implementing training and development programs to create cultures of trust.<\/p>\n Barbara Kimmel:<\/i><\/b> Anything else you would like to add as a closing comment?<\/i><\/p>\n Randy Conley:<\/b> The last thing that I would add is that I don\u2019t see a more important leadership competency than that of building trust. Trust is the foundation of any successful and healthy relationship and the most successful leaders in the 21st<\/sup> century are going to be those that have the ability to create trustworthy relationships with internal and external stakeholders.<\/p>\n Barbara Kimmel:<\/i><\/b> Randy, it\u2019s always a pleasure hearing your insights on building cultures of trustworthy business. Thank you for your time.<\/i><\/p>\n Randy Conley can be reached at randy.conley@kenblanchard.com<\/a><\/p>\n and more information about The Ken Blanchard Companies can be found at:<\/p>\n www.kenblanchard.com<\/a><\/p>\n Do you have questions or comments? Email Barbara@trustacrossamerica.com<\/a><\/p>\n Barbara Kimmel is the Executive Director of\u00a0Trust Across America, global leaders in information, standards, data and Who’s Who in trustworthy business. www.trustacrossamerica.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n