Book Review: The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey

The Speed of Trust is a must-read for any leader

In The Speed of Trust, the businessman and author Stephen M.R. Covey claims that “trust has never been lower than it is today”. However, winning the trust of others is essential for effective leadership and decision-making, which means that it is vital in the modern business world. This clear and detailed analysis is valuable for anyone who wants to understand and implement Covey’s ideas: it features a thorough explanation of the background to the book, including the internet bubble and the stock market crash of 2001, as well as an insightful exploration of the consequences of low trust. It also provides a useful introduction to the key concepts in Covey’s book, including credibility, integrity and brand image, and similar approaches and concepts, giving you everything you need to understand this important text in management.

This accessible and insightful 35-page summary and analysis is structured as follows:

• Trust: a valuable factor of performance
• About the author and background to the book
  • A family matter
  • Internet bubble
  • The stock market crash of 2001
  • Insecurity
  • Fraud operations and manipulation of accounts
• Summary of The Speed of Trust
  • Summary
  • Key concepts
• Impact of The Speed of Trust
  • Continuous improvement
  • Similar approaches and statements
• Recap of Covey’s main ideas

About The Speed of Trust

The Speed of Trust was published at a time when trust in the government, the media and large companies was very low. Covey observed that trust has tangible effects on the speed and cost of production: when trust is low, speed decreases and costs rise. Consequently, he aimed to allow businesses and managers to maximize their results and win the trust of their partners and clients with practical and straightforward advice that can be applied to a range of situations.

About Stephen M.R. Covey

Stephen M.R. Covey is an American businessman, author and keynote speaker. After earning his MBA from Harvard University in 1989, he cofounded the company CoveyLink Worldwide, which later merged with FranklinCovey. He draws on his own experiences of leadership in his writing, which has influenced millions of people around the world. He is the son of the internationally renowned self-help author Stephen R. Covey.