"Trust is the willingness to accept vulnerability based upon positive expectations about another's behavior." John Hershey & Eric Bradlow, Wharton School of Business

"Trust is a delicate property of human relationships. It is influenced far more by actions than words. It takes a long time to build, but it can be destroyed very quickly. Even a single action - perhaps misunderstood - can have powerful effects." Douglas McGregor, Author, The Human Side of Enterprise & The Professional Manager

"Every leader knows that superior team results depend on an atmosphere of respect and trust." Carol S. Cohen, VP, American Express

"Business is conducted through relationships, and trust is the foundation of effective relationships." Dennis & Michelle Reina, Authors, Trust & Betrayal in the Workplace

Stephen Covey calls trust "the one thing that changes everything." Here are a few titles that take on the complex subject.

Speaking of Covey, the newly released, "The Speed of Trust," written by Stephen M.R. Covey (son of 7 Habits Dad Stephen R. Covey) is a comprehensive volume that surveys the role of trust in today's workplace. Covey asserts that trust is the key leadership competency necessary in a global economy.

In "Trust & Betrayal in the Workplace" co-authors Dennis & Michelle Reina focus on the often misunderstood role of trust in workplace relationships. The Reinas demonstrate through case scenarios the cost of broken trust and betrayal and the tools needed to rebuild this precious resource.

Building Trust in Business by Robert C. Solomon & Fernando Flores. Trust, say the authors, is an emotional skill that we must first understand, and then practive to achieve it!

Building Trust: How to Get It- How to Get It, How to Keep It by Hyler Bracey is a slim primer on how to take concrete steps to create, maintain and rebuild trust within organizations.

The Trusted Leader by Robert Galford & Charles Green focuses on the strategic, organizational and personal trust factors within the workplace. This book makes a compelling business case for trust!

NOTE Check out our other recommended readings on our website. Click on READ ON BELOW!

Movies on lies, betrayal, deceit and a lack of ethics - where do we start? It's a bit harder to find films on honesty and integrity that lift the spirit. But just for fun - we offer a little of it all.

Have you seen The Insider? This (2000) film starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe was based on the true story of big tobacco whistleblower, Jeff Wigand. Feeling betrayed by his company, Wigand goes public with an interview arranged by "60 Minutes" producer Lowell Bergman played by Al Pacino with his trademark ferocity! When Wigand's neck is on the line, the ugly politics of media conglomeracy hit him head-on!

Thank You For Smoking (2005) We're not obsessed with the tobacco industry but this just happens to be another terrific film about selling and telling the truth! Big Tobacco spin doctor Nick Naylor (Aaron Eckhart) is on a mission to make the country forget the dangers of his product. Rallying for the cause, he works to promote smoking in the movies and hush former employees who bad-mouth cigarettes, all the while trying to remain a role model for his young son. Maria Bello, Katie Holmes, Robert Duvall and William H. Macy co-star in Jason Reitman's razor-sharp satire based on Christopher Buckley's novel.

The common trust. A concept that we as global participants need to think more about. If you have not yet seen An Inconvenient Truth- please do. Director-producer Davis Guggenheim (HBO's "Deadwood") captures former Vice President Al Gore in the midst of waging a passionate campaign -- not for the White House, but for the environment. Laying out the facts of global warming without getting political, Gore makes a sobering impression on the audiences who hear his message, urging them to act "boldly, quickly and wisely" before it's too late to act at all.

Trust in our institutions is at an all time low. Wal-Mart The High Cost of Low Price lays out why. Producer, director Robert Greenwald takes aim at the corporate giant that's come to symbolize big business in America: Wal-Mart. Blasting the box-store Goliath for allegedly paying substandard wages, skimping on employee health benefits and eviscerating communities, this hard- hitting, emotional documentary profiles the struggle of everyday folks from around the country who've committed themselves to fighting the mega-retailer - and are winning! A disturbing and inspiring film!