In 1954 two significant things happened: French engineer Marc Gregoire created the first pan coated with a non-stick resin and I was born. Which is the more significant, I’ll leave up to you.
DuPont™ Teflon® is the miracle product…that protects your things so you have one less worry for the day.
When did you purchase your first Teflon® pan?
Some people like to cook with Teflon® pans because the food doesn’t stick, easy cleanup, and the ability to cook with less oil. However, it seems professional chefs like to cook with stainless steel pots and pans.
Photo by Johnathan Macedo on Unsplash
Stainless steel is iron alloyed with chromium and carbon and it doesn’t rust.
Last week I wrote about how rust attacks the surface of steel …
This corrosion results from reactions between iron and oxygen in the presence of impure water, air moisture or any other medium that conducts electricity. As the rust develops, it shrinks, creating tiny cracks that allow more oxygen and moisture to penetrate deeper into the iron. More and more rust is created until it destroys what was once so strong.
Just as stainless steel is the solution to rust, trust protects relationships and productivity in the workplace.
Trust Supports Productivity
High performers contribute to a team’s success by building trust.
How? They get work done on time. They accept accountability for their work and to their team. They consume feedback. As a result, they create less stress and conflict. Employee engagement delivers higher productivity.
I call these self-managed teams and self-managed leaders. They’re relationship-strong. The team strength comes from high confidence in one another; trust. Highly productive teams require human connection. Muscle comes from solid relationship. Healthy connections demand trust.
Distrust attacks the strength of a team. Much like iron, people are reactive. Poor communication, unfulfilled expectations, half-hearted commitment, lack of accountability, and gossip are like water on iron. Mistrust attacks productivity. Frustration develops eroding trust layer by layer.
Stainless Steel Durable
By definition trust is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something; one in which confidence is placed.
Trust develops confidence. Distrust brings suspicion. This is why high performing teams must cultivate trust. Mistrust is not only the rust of relationships but also the enemy of high performing teams.
Our distrust is very expensive. – Ralph Waldo Emerson
How much trust do you contribute to your team?
Rate yourself on a scale of 1 – 5
- I do my part — others can count on me
- I hold myself accountable for my work
- I enjoy coming to work
- I help create a “can-do” environment
- I reduce stress and conflict within the team
- I find ways to add value to the organization
- I pick up the slack
- I produce at a high level
- I am truthful
- I am authentic and inspire hope
Yes, this is the survey included last week.
What did you discover about yourself and your team?
What if you print it and have your team take the survey?
I suppose “non-stick” cookware is helpful for amateur cooks and people in a hurry. But when you respond to feedback or conflict or miscommunication or failure with blame, denial, rationalization, minimization or avoidance, trust is eroded. The Teflon comes off, and your cheap pan starts eroding.
When you embrace and encourage personal responsibility within your team, you build trust, the strength of self-managed teams. You get durability, beauty, and taste preserving qualities, instead of a thin defensive coating that wears off with time. No wonder professional chefs love stainless steel.
Want to stay an amateur? Or become a professional? It’s your choice…
Here’s to your Next Level,
Steve
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