Build A Strong Foundation for Success

“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

Vince Lombardi

Teamwork is a word we often hear in the construction industry.  And it is a powerful word, because any project that takes more than one person to complete requires that the individuals work together—teamwork—to complete it in the most efficient manner.  But how do you get a group of individuals with different backgrounds, different experiences, and different skills, and maybe different goals to work together?  It’s not easy, because there is one very important value that is often overlooked.  And, it is an absolute requirement in order for individuals to work together towards a common team goal.  And that value is TRUST.

“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.”

Stephen Covey

Think about that quote for just a moment.  Can you work well with others if you don’t TRUST them?  How do you define TRUST?  Isn’t it easier to recognize when you don’t TRUST someone than it is to know that you do?  Think about someone you don’t trust.  Do you want them a part of your team?  Would you want to do business with them?  What have they done to cause you to not TRUST them?

Think about someone you TRUST.  What traits do they exhibit?  Take a look at this pie chart that describes the components of TRUST.

Do you TRUST people to do the job if their competence is in question?  What if they are a clear communicator, are considerate, and have a firm sense of commitment?  Would you still TRUST them to do the job if they don’t have the competence?  No, you probably wouldn’t.  In fact, if any of these 4 components is missing, there would be a lack of TRUST.

TRUST has to be earned over a period of time, and it is earned by actions related to all four of the components.  It can also be destroyed in a matter of minutes. Now, imagine a construction company, your company, which has over time has built TRUST as the foundation of its culture. Sound nice!  Not only is it nice, it is financially rewarding.  I can assure you that having TRUST as the foundation of your culture will ultimately become your competitive edge. Not only will your company be a great place to work with employees working together as a team, your company will also be valued by your customers in the marketplace.

To reap the benefits of Vince Lombardi’s quote:
“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.”

You must first make TRUST the foundation of your company culture.

For specific examples of construction companies that have made trust the foundation of their culture and how it has been financially rewarding, contact Doug Phelps. Doug Phelps, President of Management Consultants for Contractors, has over 40 years of experience in the construction industry and has been a trusted business adviser to many small to mid-size contractors since 1998.