“To earn trust, money and power aren’t enough; you have to show some concern for others. You can’t buy trust in the supermarket.” – His Holiness the Dalai Lama
As the pandemic has spread, I’ve observed something else spread across my home and native land and beyond: caremongering. This is a movement of kindness and good deeds, of community members taking care of one another. It’s a perfect example of the Fourth Facet of Trust-Centered Leadership, Caring, in action.
#Caremongering
— Future of Good (@futureofgood) March 17, 2020
/ kerˌməNGɡ(ə)riNG/
Noun: a movement rapidly spreading across Canada to spread kindness and help others in their communities (particularly those most vulnerable to #COVID19) 🏘️https://t.co/4mdPcyUWdG pic.twitter.com/Wk44RpvbkX
As the world has been shaken, I’ve witnessed communities come together stronger than ever through simple, thoughtful actions that have built deep trust in one another and trust that there is a brighter future ahead. Caring has been a powerful antidote to fear, loneliness, and despair.
Caremongerers haven’t bought trust at the supermarket; they’ve earned it through actions like trips to the supermarket in the service of others – out of care for others.
Care to consistently spread the antidote
I hope the caremongering movement spreads far and wide around the world and continues beyond the pandemic, becoming our new normal in both our personal and professional lives.
Being consistent in stepping into this caring posture – with no expectation for reciprocity – makes it all the more powerful. Consistency is the Third Facet of Trust-Centered Leadership, and when demonstrated along with Caring, trust is amplified, fortifying the foundation of all our human connections at home, at work, and in our communities in good times and in bad. The trust that results from the Consistency + Caring combo gives us a sense of purpose, builds vibrant communities we can all be proud of, and develops the resiliency needed to continue to put one foot in front of the other.
Will you choose to embrace this Trust-Centered posture of consistent caring?
As you go about your day today, how will you show care and concern for others? How will you earn their trust? How will you encourage them to caremonger too? And how will you do it again tomorrow?
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