C-Suite Trust

In my last post, All in on Alignment, we looked at why organizational alignment is so important and how to achieve it through the strategic planning process. But before leadership teams can build alignment, they need to trust one another.

C-Suite Trust

C-suite trust exists when these three beliefs are true:

1. Reliability

   Executives believe their business partners are reliable - they deliver on their commitments, admit when they fall short and are present for each other.

   
   

2. Competence

   Executives believe their partners are competent – they have the skills required to do their jobs effectively.

   
   

3. Organization First

   Executives believe their partners put the organization first – they prioritize the organization over themselves and their business groups. 

Why C-Suite Trust is so Important

C-suite trust is required for effective debate and buy-in by debate losers – key ingredients to strategic plan formation and alignment. And in the plan's execution phase, C-suite trust allows executives to hold each other accountable for their commitments. 

• Vigorous Debate

  Any plan conceived in an echo chamber is handicapped from the start. To maximize success, a plan should emerge from vigorous debate representing different perspectives. Vigorous debate is possible only if the three beliefs are in place.   

  
  

• Buy-in by Losers

  Unanimous executive buy-in is the first step to strategic alignment. Buy-in (not just head nodding, but committed buy-in) by the debate losers comes only through C-suite trust.

  
  

• Mutual Accountability

  Holding each other accountable to strategic commitments is a key feature of any strategic plan’s success. Mutual accountability only happens when there is mutual trust.

The Danger of Distrust

Distrust – even at low levels – within the C-suite corrodes the team cohesion required for organizational success, both within and beyond the strategic planning process. As much as trust lifts up, distrust pulls down.

Bottom Line

C-suite trust is a key ingredient to strategic plan formulation, alignment and execution – the trifecta required to optimize your organization’s future. In my next piece we'll explore building C-suite trust before returning to our strategic planning series.