Trust Agents

I have been reading Trust Agents by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith lately. The premise is that you can use the web to build influence, improve reputation and earn trust.

One of the strong points in the book is that you should make friends because you can, and not because you are on the lookout to get something back. This reminds me of the golden rule, of course, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and what we used to say in Mary Kay all the time - and I mean all the time - "What you put into the lives of others comes back to you tenfold."

I believe all of that. A bit of altruism goes a long way.

Sometimes all we can do is think of the other guy. We don't necessarily need an action plan, a new widget, or a goal poster. We don't know if he will take our advice, perform at a new and higher level, or go home and forget about us. As Leaders, all we really ever have is hope and all we can do is consistently push the message.

And pray, of course.