The Need for Trust

Empires have historically shown no interest in operating within an international system; they aspire to be the international system. This is certainly true of the current climate, where nations overtly adopt expansion strategies, by playing the long game which aims to control dwindling resources and supply chain routes. While some claim to be open to cooperation and shared responsibility, the less politically suave reveal their true intentions, resulting in the reconsideration of Adam Smiths' suggestion that an “invisible hand” acts only for a nations own intentions. The challenge for nations of integrity is how best to approach this environment. This challenge is shared by commercial organisations. Are commercial actors still able to focus on themselves, without considering other parties? Or have we moved beyond this theory, no longer able to pursue our own selfish interests in order to progress, but rather needing to work together to share our dwindling and restricted resources in order to return to a balance of power?.

How though will we get there? Nation states have certainly returned to the strategic adoption of facing down adversaries. However, the key players that have benefited from this in the past may themselves be overstretched and burning bridges that have sustained a relatively prolonged period of peace. While this plays itself out, you should consider that other nations are watching from the sidelines. This is no secret, so let's ask ourselves whether they biding their time or are they more conscious of their own financial and bureaucratic fragility, than they suggest? The present scenario increases the perception and realisation of national insecurity, an obsession which influenced the invasion of Ukraine.

Corporate organisations must prepare for further disruptions but should not forget that they can benefit from this, if they effectively horizon scan and identify opportunities, and move fast, while ensuring their own security. Such security relies upon the existence of trust. High-trust organisations thrive on transparency, reliability, and confidence in its stakeholders. While security measures play a pivotal role in establishing and nurturing this trust by protecting assets, ensuring compliance, and preparing for unforeseen incidents, the human concept of trust acts as the bedrock upon which relationships, collaborations and societies are built. ERG’s Human Factors Labs works with organisations to identify and develop the behaviours and systems they need to become a high-trust and high-performing organisations.

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risks@emergingrisksglobal.com