Did you know that despite the changing workplace dynamics and technological advancements, many leaders still adhere to outdated "command and control" models?

In this episode of Paradigm Shifting Books, hosts Stephen and Britain Covey sit down once again with their father, Stephen M. R. Covey, to dive into his book Trust and Inspire. They explore why so many leaders are still stuck in an outdated “command and control” model, even though the world, the workforce, and the nature of collaboration have changed dramatically.

Stephen explains the origins of the Trust and Inspire framework, rooted in his work with The Speed of Trust and inspired by lessons from his father, Stephen R. Covey. He shares the core leadership paradigm shifts that move organizations from micromanaging to unleashing the greatness already inside their people.

The conversation tackles common misconceptions, like the idea that Trust and Inspire is “soft” or unrealistic in high-pressure industries. With real-world examples from football coaching, Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, retail standouts like Wegmans, and even the military, Stephen shows that this leadership style delivers results without sacrificing accountability.

One of the big takeaways: leadership isn’t just about getting results, it’s about growing people, building trust, and inspiring them to give their very best. And that’s not just idealistic; it’s a competitive advantage.

What We Discuss

• [00:17] Introduction
• [02:04] Origins of Trust and Inspire
• [05:53] Key leadership paradigm shifts
• [12:02] What Trust and Inspire is and isn’t
• [15:35] Strong leadership without micromanaging
• [20:09] Authenticity in leadership styles
• [22:00] Global response to Trust and Inspire
• [24:31] From idealism to practical application
• [29:45] Thriving cultures and unleashing greatness

Notable Quotes

• [13:35] “Trust and Inspire is a style of leadership that gets results in a way that grows people and inspires trust.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [16:06] “A Trust and Inspire leader can be strong without being forceful. They can be demanding without being demeaning.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [20:10] “The key thing is I see the greatness inside of people. I try to unleash it, but that might include being demanding.” — Stephen M. R. Covey
• [29:55] “Inspiring is learnable as a skill, that's like a paradigm shift.” — Stephen M. R. Covey

Resources

Paradigm Shifting Books

• Podcast
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Books

• Trust and Inspire by Stephen M. R. Covey
• The SPEED of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey
• The 8th Habit by Stephen R. Covey

Stephen M. R. Covey

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Britain Covey

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Stephen H. Covey

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