Essays by various academics on interaction with media by politicians to get their message out. Some were interesting (speeches and campaigns) whilst others were boring (the social-justice stuff is eyerolling and lacks foundation in reality sometimes)

I found this book to be difficult to read and digest. I had hoped to find information to use to build and expand my business to make it meaningful for myself, clients, and employees. I found some information but mostly through skimming.

The Trust Factor explores why some workplaces struggle with toxic cultures, by opening the door to the factors that enhance and build the most important contributor to a corporate environment - Trust

"When someone shows you trust, a feel-good jolt of oxytocin surges through your brain and triggers you to reciprocate. This simple mechanism creates a perpetual trust-building cycle—the key to changing stubborn workplace patterns."

Looking at the effects of making inexpensive changes - grouped under the acronym OXYTOCIN - Paul and his team present loads of examples and case studies on how things can change at work when the right behaviours are encouraged.

It all seems too simple, really. At 256 pages, quite a lot of this book is the footnotes and papers that are quoted. It's worth a quick read. You probably know most of these things instinctively, but you'll ask yourself why, if this is so simple and so worthwhile, more corporates don't operate like this?

An inspiring book.

I have seen how an Ovation can form great bonds between employee and employer and its not even bank breaking.
Paul Zak in Trust Factor shows enough studies and examples on what a great impact trust can have in the productivity of a company. Its worth your time in understanding the 'neurochemistry' and how to use it for a company's good. Imagine 36% productivity improvement. What can get you that big jump? Working on trust.
Surprising?
Read the book for more eye opening insights.

Trust is a key element of a company being successful and prospering. In this book the neuroscientist author shows how a culture-shift and move towards a more trustworthy form of operations can yield dividends for a company.

The core concept can be quite simple, even if the transformation process may be difficult for many. Yet it may be essential as the benefits can aid the company internally with better-engaged employees, as well as hitting the bottom-line with customers voting with their wallets.

At the heart is the author’s claim that trust is reciprocal, when someone shows you trust the brain triggers a reciprocal action. The author has been extensively researching this subject and believes that boosting trust can be a great cure for any business, boosting engagement, workplace happiness and, of course, leading to financial benefits.

It all led to an interesting read that was accessible and engaging, backed up with some case studies to show how a few companies have “got it” and are benefitting from it. You do need to focus on the book and its message to get the most out of it. Reserve a little “me time”.

Even though this is aimed at companies, of course the private individual could also utilise the core research for their own good and benefit. Why not give it a try?

Trust Factor, written by Paul J. Zak and published by AMACOM Books. ISBN 9780814437667. YYYY

Revolutionary research with affordable practical applications and great benefits!
The work of 20 years of arduous research by Paul J Zack, who shares us in this book, is astonishing and of great value. The proposal to build a culture of trust has the potential to make a significant difference to the quality of life of employees and the growth of organizations. Early experiments identified the promoters and inhibitors of the hormone oxytocin and its association with trustworthiness.
Subsequently, he carried out experiments obtaining data with thousands of employees, and was able to identify 8 management behaviors that promote this hormone. Such behaviors, when combined with feedback and effective communication of the organization's purpose, foster a culture of trust, ... which in turn increases commitment, empathy, joy, satisfaction and high-level performance.
The entire model is well explained and can be applied to our businesses or organizations for multiple benefits. It is undoubtedly a very valuable book that gives us tools for the invaluable application of this culture of trust, which can be quantified, the results can be followed up, so that it can gradually be incorporated to improve the culture in our organization.
My gratitude to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book