Over two million copies sold.
Stephen M. R. Covey shows how trust—and the speed at which it is established with clients, employees, and all stakeholders—is the single most critical component of a successful leader and organization.
Stephen M. R. Covey, widely known as one of the world’s leading authorities on trust, asserts that it is “the most overlooked, misunderstood, underutilized asset to enable performance. Its impact, for good or bad, is dramatic and pervasive. It’s something you can’t escape.” Thankfully, it’s is also the thing that can dramatically improve your personal and professional success.
Why trust? The simple, often overlooked fact is this: work gets done with and through people. The Speed of Trust offers an unprecedented and eminently practical look at exactly how trust functions in every transaction and every relationship—from the most personal to the broadest, most indirect interaction. It specifically demonstrates how to establish trust intentionally so that you and your organization can forego the time-killing, bureaucratic check-and-balance processes that is so often deployed in lieu of actual trust.
This 2018 updated edition includes an insightful afterword by the author which explores ten key reasons why trust is more relevant now than ever before—including how trust is the new currency of our world today.
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"One of the best books I have read on trust. I love the way he tries to take what the corporate world will sometimes describe as a fuzzy concept, and then builds an economic model around it to demonstrate how an organization can rise or fall due to trust or the lack of it. "
— Glenn (5 out of 5 stars)
“This book can change lives.”
— Larry KingThis much-needed [audio]book provides many practical examples of how greater trust produces better results, at less cost . . . at work and in life. It's invaluable.
— Spencer Johnson, M.D., author of Who Moved My Cheese?“Covey convincingly validates our experience at Dell—that trust has a bottom-line impact on results and that when trust goes up, speed goes up while costs come down. This principle applies not only in our professional relationships with customers, business partners, and team members but also in our personal relationships, which makes this insightful book all the more valuable.”
— Kevin Rollins, President and CEO, Dell Inc.“Covey brilliantly focuses on that overlooked bedrock of democratic capitalism—trust. Like the air we breathe, we too often take this critical intangible for granted. As Covey makes clear, we do so at our ultimate competitive peril.”
— Steve Forbes, President and CEO, Forbes“Trust is so integral to our relationships that we often take it for granted, yet in an era marked by business scandals and a desire for accountability this book by leadership expert Covey is a welcome guide to nurturing trust in our professional and personal lives.”
— Publishers Weekly" Excellent approach to understanding and creating trust "
— Greg, 5/23/2017" Well worth the time and money well spent, if you are going to read or listen but not apply the information then this book is not for you. If you want to improve then the information contained in this book can help. "
— Robfields01 , 5/8/2017" This was okay. It had some good information in it, but I am not disciplined for these kind of books. There is so many I want to read that it was hard to make myself read this for knowledge instead of pleasure. By the end, I wanted to scream! "
— Becky, 2/20/2014" This is a great book -- personally and professionally! It discusses the five levels of trust and how trust begins with you (4 Cores and 13 Behaviors). Without trust everything else crumbles. I highly recommend this! "
— Katie, 2/14/2014" Treat people decently, and they will trust you. Trust is a good thing. It's not exactly rocket science. "
— Kalsoum, 2/9/2014" Too short but good info "
— Stanley, 2/9/2014" good info. i often find non-fiction such a droll to read. trudged through it, but interesting perspective. "
— Jessie, 2/6/2014" Great followup to 7 Habits. Necessary but not necessarily executed well. "
— Ron, 1/29/2014" Good premise, although I didn't feel moved or motivated. "
— Tony, 1/7/2014" This book is a 30 page book stretched out to 300+. The basic message of the book is good but too long. "
— Bob, 1/6/2014" Not much new in this book. Read it as a job requirement - can't recommend it beyond some pretty basic ideas that, if you're like me, you've integrated a long time ago. "
— Jim, 1/3/2014" This is a discussion on trust and it's effect on relationships of all kinds. Everything from trust between individuals and to trust in a company or brand. Very interesting. "
— Scott, 12/25/2013" Definitely a must-read...nothing negetive about this book except it was overly dragged. but totally worth it "
— Asif, 12/11/2013" So far, this book is amazing - so much to think about. He gives practical ways to learn how to have better relationships of trust. Even though this book was written for "business professionals" the information that he gives is extremely helpful for everyday life. "
— Rebecca, 12/7/2013" Speed is as important as the word trust in the title of this book. "
— Barbra, 12/1/2013" Everyone should read this with an open mind and a willingness to change. I wish all the leaders in the school district would read and apply it. "
— Barbara, 8/25/2013" Enjoyed the book. Many key ideas to keep in mind. "
— Andrea, 4/11/2013" Lots of good advice for professionals today. "
— Kerry, 2/10/2013" Great book for people in business or not, managers or not, to understand how trust or a lack thereof impacts every aspect of our interpersonal relationships and interactions. "
— Kimberley, 11/10/2012" EXCELLENT book!! Eye-opening on the necessity and natural progression of building/earning trust in every capacity of our lives. "
— Gina, 10/25/2012" Covey really hits a lot of different thoughts on this one. Trust in our leaders is at a painstaking low and deservedly so. If you are looking for ways to enhance the Trust that you display to your colleagues/family then I would certainly read this book. "
— William, 10/20/2012" This was an excellent book, I would almost put it ahead of his father's classic "7 Habits". "
— Jason, 10/12/2012" Recommended reading for anyone in an organization...amazing how much time and energy is wasted because we don't/can't trust each other. Just as applicable to our personal lives. "
— Peggy, 10/6/2012" wish i had discovered this book earlier! "
— Vanessa, 7/4/2012" Makes me want to go out and trust somebody. Has lots of skills to use and refresh on. Enjoyed it! "
— Tami, 4/3/2012" Felt like every chapter meant something critical to my life, no matter whether it was work, family, or spiritually. "
— Michael, 1/20/2012" After this book, I never saw the subject "TRUST" with the same eyes! Very good and striking, like a life-revelation! "
— Isis, 1/15/2012" By trusting others life will be much more easier, simpler and happier. "
— Anni, 11/7/2011" Great book on leadership and one that every new leader should read as they assume command or a new responsibility. "
— Anthony, 5/27/2011" Very simple and informative. A good guide to building trust, well worth the read "
— Marvin, 4/2/2011" More great principles from the Covey family. Trust seems to be the central principle in all relationships including business relationships. Much of the red tape in business is due to lack of trust. Interesting perspective. "
— Marc, 2/11/2011" Rereading this one. It makes so much sense. Even though it is written from a business perspective it works for all aspects of life. "
— Kathy, 1/9/2011" The book makes some great points and I hope the web site will a good resource. I found the content of the audio book a little lite though (a bit of a teaser to visit the web site). As long as the website's good it will have been a worthy read "
— Peter, 1/1/2011" More mandatory reading from the workplace. Pretty good stuff, but it's common sense--and for those for whom it isn't common sense, I don't think reading a book will help them. "
— Heather, 12/18/2010" Fantastic book. It helped me in understanding the very real importance of trust in business and in life. Great for salespeople and people in any kind of leadership role. I cannot recommend it highly enough. "
— doug, 9/30/2010" This is a discussion on trust and it's effect on relationships of all kinds. Everything from trust between individuals and to trust in a company or brand. Very interesting. "
— Scott, 9/29/2010" Also read this one for work....the first two-thirds of the book were pretty good, but it was more difficult to maintain focus on the last section. "
— Kim, 8/21/2010" A well-written treatise on the core value of any successful enterprise or relationship: Trust. A must-read for any leader. Along with his father's seminal work, "7 Habits of Highly Effective People", a staple of any leader's library. "
— Mike, 8/14/2010" The Speed of Trust has the strongest argument for the benefits of trust in the workplace (and life generally) that I've read. It is worth revisting someday in the future. "
— Quantum, 6/4/2010" I listened to it this audio book from start to finish this morning while on a long run. I found it very meaningful. It was so good that I want to listen to it again soon. "
— Keith, 5/29/2010Stephen M. R. Covey is cofounder and CEO of CoveyLink Worldwide. A sought-after speaker, author, and advisor on trust, leadership, ethics, and high performance, Covey speaks to distinguished audiences around the world. He is the author of Smart Trust, A Conversation on Trust, and The Speed of Trust. Covey currently serves on the board of several entities, including the Human Performance Institute—the leader in energy management technology—where he serves as Advisory Board Chairman.
Rebecca A. Merrill has served in numerous leadership positions in community, education, and women’s organizations. She is the coauthor of Connections: Quadrant II Time Management, and assisted Stephen R. Covey on The 7 Habits Highly Effective People.