Finding Essence in a VUCA-Plus World V: Action Steps Toward Establishing and Maintaining Trust

The Essence of Trust: A Final Graphic Representation of the Polarity Map

I bring this essay—and this series of essays regarding Essence and, specifically, the Essence of Trust—to a close by completing Barry Johnson’s Polarity Map (Johnson, 2020). I incorporated the insights gained from Will Schutz and Oriah Mountain Dreamer. I am also now at a place to “crown” this Map with the fundamental theme—the Essence—of this polarity exploration. It is the Essence of Trust. The analysis of polarities embedded in Trust helps to definition the tension within this Essence that provides it with energy. I consider the psychological steps identified by Will Schutz to be particularly relevant to the establishment of S² (Home) (security and safety) Trust, while the expansive steps poetically portrayed by Oriah Mountain Dreamer tend to most closely aligned with the O² (Quest) (opportunity and openness) forms of Trust. It is in the failure to manage this polarity in an effective manner or in the attempt to escape from these polarities that we find the opposite of Trust – this being Mistrust. I have tried to identify the settings and processes not only in which Trust prevails, but also those in which Mistrust is likely to be prevalent—and destructive.

This polarity map and attending analysis can be applied to the task of establishing Trust in any interpersonal relationship, group or organization.

You might note that I have roughly darkened the lines and arrows representing movement between the S² and O² polarities. While Johnson represents this movement with soft, smooth lines (perhaps suggesting that this movement is often subtle and unacknowledged), I have represented the movement with rough bold lines and arrows—suggesting that the movement is quite dramatic, noticeable and rugged. Even a differing perspective offered by a change in facets regarding Trust can produce a disturbing disorientation. Shifting gears, abandoning bubbles of belief, and overcoming cognitive dissonance is rarely pretty, pleasant or perfect.