Business Life After The Virus: The State of Trust
Trust is an issue of leadership and common good
Thank you to all those who joined us for the Jericho Conversation on The State of Trust - with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster; Times columnist and Conservative peer, Danny Finkelstein; Professor Veronica Hope Hailey, University of Bath; and Amanda Mackenzie, Chief Executive, Business in the Community.
"This moment demands that all playbooks are cast aside and we get closer to reality, with more humility. We need a change in culture to do this."
Cardinal Vincent Nichols
Cardinal Vincent on listening to the cast-aside
“Common good should not be confused with the good of the greatest number. It is the good from which no-one is excluded.”“Trust, purpose and integrity are linked to how we deal with failings and errors. We need a more nuanced and mature way of handling this.”“We need to rise above the temptation to be divisive. We see into the true operation of something when we are on the periphery, not when we are at the centre.”“Is life itself trustworthy? Does it have a coherence or is it a random accident? My faith gives coherence to who I am.”
Danny on fragility and complexity in decision-making
“Dealing with the day-to-day business of government means that you don’t have a great deal of time for introspection. Politicians trust themselves and their own motivation - no Conservative thinks they are not being compassionate, so why would they imagine others would think that of them?”
"All science is a little less solid than wethink it is."
Danny Finkelstein
“The government denies any mistakes have been made, while those who claim they should admit these errors, don’t even really know what the mistakes are yet. Which of the things we have done will turn out to be a mistake in the end?”“In a situation in which there is an expectation of loss there will be less trust. If you are aware of this, though, you can begin to offset it.”
Veronica on leaders, followers and mutuality
“Leaders and followers must establish a mutually trusting relationship… leadership is a visible service.”“The crisis is bad enough but the true test will be the re-start afterwards. For some, it has been restive but privileged; for others, it has been a truly appalling experience. As we head into recession, the people who are vulnerable will be even more marginalised. How will the great institutions of society respond to this?”“There is variation in our propensity to trust - but greater variation still in who it is that we are prepared to trust and to do what?”
"We need to tell uncomfortable truths not comfortable lies."
Professor Veronica Hope Hailey
“The sense of mutuality we have found over the last weeks and months must be maintained. We have shown we can do it, so let’s reflect on what’s made this possible.”
Amanda on purpose renewal
“I fell out of love with the community word because it was often shorthanded and overused. I’ve fallen back in love because now we are living it - we are aware of it. Suddenly, it has rich meaning again.”
"Trust is about doing not being - it is the tough yards of being honest with ourselves."
Amanda Mackenzie
“If people are allowed to understand the economics of what’s happening and there is transparency, then an organisation has the best chances of maintaining trust in these incredibly difficult times.”“New business models may be required. More de-centralised. Partnerships, family firms, social enterprises and mutuals signal a more trusted future. The movement towards real purpose was already underway before the crisis hit. COVID-19 may yet accelerate it.”
If you would like to (re-)watch the webinar in fullyou can do so here.
#JerichoConversations – Next Up
Join us for Jericho Conversations: What Happens to the Customer? Friday 29 May 12.30 – 1.45pm (London).This conversation includes tales from the economic/ retail front-line of the crisis. Sir Ian Cheshire, Chair, Barclays UK, will kick us off. The panel includes Catherine Colloms, MD Corporate Affairs & Brand, Openreach; Sarah Gillard, Mission Director, John Lewis Partnership; and DarcyWilson-Rymer, CEO, Costcutter Supermarkets Group.What happens to the customer? is being hosted in partnership with our friends at The Foundation, whose founder, Charlie Dawson, joins us as expert panellist.
#JerichoConversations – Join In
This note is being shared with the wider Jericho community – 4,000+ business leaders, politicians & policymakers, academics and experts, activists and campaigners, media and commentators. Your participation and support is what makes it special.All Jericho Conversations to date are available on www.jerichochambers.com. Do get in touch if you have thoughts or ideas to share or would like to find out more about Jericho and/ or working with us to help build a better society, for the common good.
Keep well. Stay safe. Take care.
Robert, Becky, Becca, Roxi and Team Jericho
May 22 2020
