When I was growing up, I often heard the phrase, “What does your gut tell you?” or, “I’ve got a sick feeling in my stomach about this.” The phrase of listening to your gut has come into vogue again because neuroscience has recognized the gut communicates to the brain faster than your heart. Why is this important to know as we just finished the Halloween and Election events? Perhaps it is because trust is still an illusion. We want it, we rely on it and when it is not present in our lives, it causes disharmony that we learn to live with or just accept it because “that’s the way it is.”
While we trust our guts to assist us as we get ready for the early Winter weather in the month of November, we can learn to trust our guts in other situations. As you Choose Who You Want to be Known As this week, what positive value do you want people to know about you? Have a great week.
Yesterday I published a Post on the social media platform of LinkedIn and I am sharing it with you below. (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20141105210316-32215190–illusion-of-trust-as-an-ethical-value?trk=prof-post)
“Illusion of Trust” as an Ethical Value Nov 5 2014
While browsing for information online, I saw a link from The Good Men Project. I clicked to a Blog Post from the Executive Editor, Thomas G. Fiffer. I was intrigued by Thomas Fiffer’s choice of language and the above quotation is a phrase directly from his Blog of October 28, 2014. The Title of Thomas Fiffer’s Blog is, “3 Ways to Deal with Toxic Relationships.” http://www.goodmenproject.com/ethics-values/3-ways-spot-toxic-partner/
The first way is: If you’re familiar with the 80/20 rule – speaking only 20% of the time in a relationship indicates it is dysfunctional. In other words, you give your own power of self-worth to another person.
The second way is: “Attraction creates the illusion of trust.” Fiffer recommends you listen to your gut when your judgment is being put aside for the other. When it comes down to it – why are you not paying attention to the feeling of, “something is not right here.”
Finally the third way appears to be derived from a social science or neuroscience perspective. Fiffer explains that when you are ruled by fear, you don’t act rationally and are unable to accept rational explanations. This appears to be so because the fear reaction, once triggered, will not stop until it is soothed.
As you manage your career, how often do you trust your gut in contract to your personal experience with an issue? How often has your gut enabled the right decision for you (or at least the best possible)? Do you keep an open mind first and then trust your gut, or the reverse? Interesting questions to consider during this first week in November.
I’m grateful I followed the linked and learned about The Good Men Project and hope to read Thomas G. Fiffer again. As you Choose Who You Want to be Known As, consider how often you trust and rely on your gut instincts to make informed decisions. Enjoy your month of November in your career.
“Jo Ann” M. Radja, Career Management Coach and Change Agent”
Career Management Coaching 
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