Yesterday, a young man I met at a networking event asked me, “Aunty, do you think trust can be institutionalised?”
I was like, for a Thursday afternoon those are such big words wei… 😳
Hmm… let’s see. To institutionalise something means making it part of the system. Not just a “nice-to-have”, but something built into the way we work. Like a habit, a culture. Like how things are really done around here.
Trust isn’t something we paste on a wall with a poster saying “Trust is Our Value” and expect people to believe it. We have to show it. Repeatedly.
How we lead?
How we make decisions?
How we handle mistakes?
How we treat the most junior staff when nobody is watching?
I do believe trust can be institutionalised. But only when fairness is consistent, policies make sense, people feel safe to speak up, and most importantly, leaders genuinely listen and take accountability.
When all that happens consistently, trust becomes the system.
I know… some of you are already rolling your eyes and shaking your heads.
Yes, it’s definitely hard. That’s exactly why institutionalising trust is so precious.
Happy weekend, everyone! This Sunday, I’ll be at KL Convention Centre for the MYFutureJobs Premium Carnival. If you have no plans yet, come listen to this Aunty on Mother’s Day sharing how to survive corporate.
Especially when trust feels like it’s always being tested. 😉
Semoga ada jodoh!
xoxoxo, AuntyHR
