Serenity- my second favorite episode

Serenity lands on Whitefall and Mal prepares to make the deal. Mistrustful of Patience, he sends Jayne to take a sniper position in the hills while he and Zoe walk out to meet Patience and her gang in a deserted valley. Mal gives Patience a sample of the cargo, which turns out to be nutritional/immunization bars, each one of which can feed an entire family for a month. Patience tries to kill them, so she can take the cargo without paying, but Mal and Zoe, with the help of Jayne, dispatch Patience and her gang, taking the money they were promised. Although, one of Patience’s men shot Mal’s arm, ripping a hole on his sleeve coat. Jayne then joins the others, having been contacted by Wash with bad news: the Reavers followed them to Whitefall.

Mal realizes Patience cannot be trusted.  Good thing he took precaution!

Survey Reveals Employee Trust and Confidence in Their Leaders is Stronger December 18th, 2014 by Persis Swift

A recent survey from Towers Watson indicates that 55 percent of all U.S. employees said they have trust and confidence in their senior leaders. In 2012 that number was only 49 percent, and two years earlier in 2010, that number was 47 percent. Senior leaders received high scores from survey participants in the following areas: 80 percent agreed that their leaders promoted a positive company image to the outside world and 68 percent agreed that their leaders understand the factors that lead to success.

Four Ways to Build and Sustain Trust in Your Workplace

1.Establish Values

2. Communicate Openly

3. Respect all Employees

4. Be Human

Integrate trust in your values, performance appraisals, on-boarding practices and other workplace activities.

Mineo, David L. Importance of Trust in Leadership.

Great Article: This article is intended to focus on how the bond is created that provides the leader with the vehicle for success. Trust is the glue which binds the leader to her/his followers and provides the capacity for organizational and leadership success.  The foundation of a great workplace is created by organizational credibility, respect and fairness which form the foundation of trust.

In conclusion, the trust that leaders place in those they lead allows both the leader and her/his followers to excel. It is not a momentary event but a series of investments over time that truly allows success.

Crane, Frank. Mindtools.com. Building Trust Inside Your Team.

You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you don’t trust enough.– Frank Crane, American minister and author

Trust is an essential element in team productivity. Without it, you’re unlikely to get anything meaningful done. But with it, teams can accomplish everything they set out to do… and more.

As a leader, it’s important that you set an example. Show your team members how critical trust is to you by demonstrating your trust in them, as well as in your colleagues.

Next, make an effort to help everyone get to know each other on a personal level. Encourage conversations on values, family, or hobbies. Last, discourage cliques, if you feel that they’re damaging to the group’s trust and morale.

Do your employees trust your leadership?

According to a recent poll by Maritz Research Group, a leader in employee satisfaction research, 25% of employees report having less trust in management this year than they did last year, and only 14% say their company’s values reflect their own personal values. As a leader, it’s important for employees to know you can be trusted to not only make the best choices for the company, but for the people you lead as well. Unfortunately, building trust doesn’t happen overnight and it can be easily lost with a single misstep.

So, what are some of the characteristics of a trustworthy leader?

The “Big Five” Conscientiousness

Conscientiousness (C)	Relates to the control of impulses. Self controlled in terms of active planning, organizing and carrying out tasks. The conscientious individual is purposeful, strong willed, and determined. High C is associated with academic and occupational achievement. Can lead to annoying fastidiousness, compulsive neatness, or workaholic behavior.
Traits	High: efficient, thorough, resourceful, organized, ambitious, industrious, enterprising	Low: careless, lazy, impulsive, impatient, immature, moody, hasty
Facets	C1: Competence- refers to a sense that one is capable (self-efficacy). C2: Order- High scorers are neat, tidy, and well organized.  Carried to an extreme, high Order can contribute to a Compulsive Personality Disorder (Monk) C3: Dutifulness– High scores adhere to their ethical principles and moral obligations. C4: Achievement Striving- High scorers have high aspiration levels and work hard to achieve their goals.  They are ambitious and have purposefulness to their actions. C5: Self-Discipline- The ability to begin task and carry though to completion despite boredom and distraction C6: Deliberation- The tendency to think carefully before acting.  High scorers are cautious and deliberate, while low scores are more spontaneous and hasty and able to make quick decisions.

The “Big Five” Agreeableness

Agreeableness (A)	Agreeableness is primarily a dimension of interpersonal tendencies. The agreeable person in fundamental altruistic. They are sympathetic to others and eager to help them. Disagreeable or antagonistic people are egocentric, skeptical of others’ intentions, and competitive rather than cooperative
Traits	High: altruistic, trusting, soft-hearted, sympathetic, warm, generous	Low: suspicious, pessimistic, hard-hearted, demanding, assertive, impatient
Facets	A1: Trust- A disposition to believe that others are honest and well-intentioned.  Low scores tend to be cynical. A2: Straightforwardness- High scorers are frank and sincere, while low scorers are willing to manipulate through flattery, craftiness, or deception. A3: Altruism- Manifested in an active concern for the welfare of others.  Low scorers are more self-centered and reluctant to get involved in the problems of others. A4: Compliance- This facet concerns one’s typical response to conflict.  High scorers tend to use withdrawal and smoothing techniques, while low scorers are more likely to be aggressive and assertive. A5: Modesty- Humble and self-effacing although not necessarily lacking in self-esteem.  Low scorers believe they are superior and may be considered arrogant by others. A6: Tender-Mindedness- Attitudes of sympathy and concern for others.  Low scores are more apt to make decisions based on “cold logic” rather than on appeals to pity.

The “Big Five” Openness

Openness (O)	The elements of O are active imagination, aesthetic sensitivity, attentiveness to inner feelings, preference for variety, intellectual curiosity, and independence of judgment. Open individuals are curious about both inner and outer worlds.  They are willing to entertain novel ideas and unconventional values. They experience both positive and negative emotions more keenly than do closed individuals. Closed individuals tend to be conventional in behavior and conservative in outlook.  They prefer familiar to the novel, and their emotional responses are somewhat muted. Openness may sound healthier or more mature to many psychologists, but the value of openness depends on the requirements of the situation.
Traits	High: curious, imaginative, idealistic, original, enthusiastic	Low: conservative, cautious, mild
Facets	O1: Fantasy- Openness to fantasy involves and active imagination and its uses in creativity.  Daydreams and fantasy create interest and escape. O2: Aesthetics- High scorers on this facet have a deep appreciation for art and beauty and are emotionally moved by them. O3: Feelings- Involved receptivity to one’s own feelings and emotions.  High scores experience deeper and more differentiated emotional states and believe that emotions are an important part of life (no Vulcans here) O4: Actions- Willing to try different activities and approaches to things.  Seek novelty and variety. O5: Ideas- Pursuit of intellectual ideas for their own sake.  Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to entertain new and controversial ideas and theories. O6: Values- Readiness to re-examine social values, political, and religious values.  Closed individuals tend to accept authority and honor tradition (dogmatic).

The “Big Five” Extraversion

Extraversion (E)	Extraverts are, of course, sociable.  In addition to liking people and preferring large groups and gatherings, extraverts are also assertive, active, and talkative. They like excitement and stimulation and tend to be cheerful in disposition. They are upbeat, energetic, and optimistic. Introverts are reserved rather then unfriendly, independent rather than followers.
Traits	High: upbeat, energetic, assertive, active, talkative, friendly	Low: aloof, shy, reserved, interpersonally formal
Facets	E1: Warmth- The tendency towards affection and friendliness is characteristic of those high one this facet.  They like people and have a relatively easy time forming close interpersonal attachments.  Low scorers tend to be more formal, distant, and reserved in their relationships with others. E2: Gregariousness- Preference for the company of others and need for social stimulation. E3: Assertiveness- Assertive individuals are dominant, forceful, and socially ascendant.  Low scorers prefer to take a less active role in social situations. E4: Activity- The degree to which the individual exhibits constant action and movement.  Activity is characterized by a fast paced lifestyle rather than one of leisure and relaxation. E5: Excitement-Seeking- Need to seek excitement, stimulation and thrills. E6: Positive Emotions- The tendency to experience positive emotions and to be cheerful and optimistic.

Firefly- My favorite episode

Train Job

Captain Mal Reynolds and his motley crew of space traders get a job that seems to be right up their alley. Gangster Adelai Niska wants them to rob a train and deliver the goods to them. Mal and Zoey have little trouble getting the job done and even convincing the local authorities that are just a married couple who have come looking for work. When the overhear that the stolen cargo was urgently needed medical supplies, Mal reconsiders whether he wants to do Nishka’s dirty work. Back on the ship, Dr. Simon Tam continues to worry about his sister River who is still having nightmares about her institutionalization.