There is Little Trust in Business, Sorry

Sorry to hit you over the head with the truth, but in business and in life, trust and longevity has changed. Perhaps our access to information and transparency of our lives has created this change, but it is highly unlikely we will ever return to a world of simplicity, trust and commitment. Facebook’s “it’s complicated” status both says it all and ignites this revolution. Black and white has forever been grayed. Let’s start with business. No matter your age, think about the way your parents treated the workplace. Sure, they had bad days, but they were committed. They were in. My Mom, for example, has been at the same place for 10 years, and the place before that for 10 years until it closed. She is extremely hard working, dedicated, and driven. Above everything else, she is committed. Today, we, at our agency, are lucky to see people stay for 2 years. And we are even luckier if we find resumes that include a1 year tenure. Is this sad or good? Well, when it comes to our agency, many people don’t love the concept of change within the business. Even when those changes are designed to make their lives easier, they are fearful of them. Yet, many in the past had no fear of career change. That seems more normal. If this is going to be the way we do things, in life, then we have to change the way we look at recruiting. It must turn into less about commitment and keeping one’s word of how they are in it for the long-term, to how can the business get the most out of that person for the short time they are in it, just as they want to get the most out of the business for the short time they are there. Thanks to a Social Media world, I am not sure this will ever change. Short term will out do long term more and more. Divorce used to be a last measure in life, now it’s just an excuse for saying it wasn’t working. Look around, things are changing. This means, the pool of those you can trust is getting smaller and smaller. But, if you can have clarity around that fact, you are more likely to find success. Start thinking in half marathons versus full. Start thinking in tapas versus full meals. Again, perhaps, with proper clarity, this isn’t the worst thing. Perhaps this will allow us to appreciate small wins more. Personal and business is changing. It’s a world of I, me – first. The whole theory of half empty versus half full can apply. From this moment forward, a deck of cards cut in half is considered full trust.