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Trust Works
Trust Works! by Ken Blanchard has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
64 people are currently reading
451 people want to read
About the author
Kenneth H. Blanchard
315 books1,858 followersKen Blanchard, one of the most influential leadership experts in the world, is the coauthor of the iconic bestseller, The One Minute Manager, and 60 other books whose combined sales total more than 21 million copies. His groundbreaking works have been translated into more than 27 languages and in 2005 he was inducted into Amazon’s Hall of Fame as one of the top 25 bestselling authors of all time.
Ken is also the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, an international management training and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, began in 1979 in San Diego, California.
When he’s not writing or speaking, Ken also spends time teaching students in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego. Ken can be found at www.kenblanchard.com.
Ken is also the cofounder and chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, an international management training and consulting firm that he and his wife, Margie Blanchard, began in 1979 in San Diego, California.
When he’s not writing or speaking, Ken also spends time teaching students in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership Program at the University of San Diego. Ken can be found at www.kenblanchard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
July 11, 2019
Nothing too helpful or exciting here. Just a brief, simple outline of trust and how to build it given through a classic parable story and then principle-based explanation. Good, but nothing new. ABCD -Able, Believable, Connected, Dependent. These are the basic principles of trust.
May 4, 2025
TRUST NOBODY, NOT EVEN YOURSELF
Trust is fragile—easier to fake than to find, and once broken, rarely ever whole again. We talk about trust as though it’s a noble thing to give, but the truth is, it’s a gamble. “Trust Works!” by Ken Blanchard, Cynthia Olmstead, and Martha Lawrence offers a framework for understanding how trust operates between people, but reading between the lines reveals something else entirely: if trust is so easily shattered, so dependent on interpretation, and so hard to pin down, can it really be relied on at all? Even our own perception of trust is flawed. We trust the wrong people, ignore red flags, or worse—convince ourselves that we’re trustworthy when our actions prove otherwise. The ABCDs of trust—Able, Believable, Connected, Dependable—may aim to build trust, but they also reveal how little of it truly exists, and how dangerous it is to hand it out blindly.
Start with 'Able'. Competence sounds like a solid foundation for trust—but how many people do you know who seem capable on the surface, yet drop the ball when it matters most? Skill doesn’t equal reliability. People put on performances all the time—polished resumes, confident talk, showing up just enough to seem dependable. But behind the curtain, even the most 'able' person can lie, fake, or manipulate results to maintain an image. Worse, we deceive ourselves into thinking we're competent enough, when deep down, we may be avoiding real challenges or blaming others for failures we had a hand in. Trusting yourself to always be the expert, always have it together, is naive. You can’t trust others’ competence, and you shouldn’t trust your own without serious scrutiny. Consistency, the backbone of ability, can be faked in the short term. Long-term? That’s where the cracks show.
Then there's 'Believable'—the illusion of honesty. We’re told to value integrity, but even good people twist the truth when it suits them. We lie to protect our image, to avoid conflict, or to make things easier. And we excuse it. A little exaggeration here, a harmless omission there. Over time, it adds up. What does it say that people feel they 'have' to lie just to survive certain environments—workplaces, families, relationships? The lesson? Don’t confuse politeness for integrity. And don’t assume your own moral compass is perfectly aligned either. We all carry a self-serving bias. We believe we’re honest—until honesty costs us something. Trusting someone’s word means trusting their motivations, their ability to resist fear, ego, and temptation. Good luck with that. Believability is less about someone’s moral fiber and more about how well they hide their contradictions.
'Connectedness' is sold to us as a feel-good component of trust—caring, listening, relating. But connection is slippery. People connect to get things. We listen when we want influence. We open up to extract trust, not necessarily to give it. Vulnerability is a currency that can be used for manipulation just as easily as for bonding. Be cautious of people who overshare too quickly—they might just be trying to disarm you. Even your own sense of emotional connection can lie to you. You feel someone 'gets' you, so you let your guard down. But feelings are unreliable. They’re shaped by context, hormones, nostalgia, loneliness. The person who seems like your closest ally today may turn distant—or even against you—when their priorities shift. And we do the same to others, whether we admit it or not. In the end, 'connection' is a moving target. Temporary alignment doesn't guarantee long-term trust.
And then there's 'Dependable'—the idea that showing up and following through means you’re trustworthy. But plenty of people hit deadlines and return calls while hiding deeper failings. Following rules doesn’t equal being ethical. People can be perfectly punctual and still be careless with your secrets, your emotions, or your reputation. Dependability is often confused with routine, but trust doesn’t lie in routines—it lies in loyalty, in commitment when things get messy. That’s when people vanish. We praise reliability, but forget how quickly people can stop being reliable when it stops serving them. Even you. Ever broken a promise to yourself? A goal? A commitment? Thought so. If you can’t count on your own word at all times, how can you place your faith in someone else’s?
The book’s core idea—that you can rebuild trust through intentional behavior—feels optimistic, maybe too much so. Sure, you can try to be better. You can develop self-awareness, ask for feedback, make amends. But here’s the truth nobody likes to admit: rebuilding trust is often about image repair, not actual change. We want to be 'seen' as trustworthy more than we want to 'be' trustworthy. And even if you are genuine in your effort, people will judge you based on your worst moment, not your best intentions. One mistake can define you in someone’s eyes forever. Trust doesn’t operate on fairness—it operates on perception.
Another layer to this: people don’t all define trust the same way. One person sees honesty as key; another values consistency more. So even if you 'think' you’re doing all the right things, someone else might still distrust you. Miscommunication, bias, personal baggage—these cloud every interaction. And if everyone’s playing by a slightly different rulebook, what’s the point of trying to 'measure' or 'earn' trust? It becomes a guessing game.
The authors mean well with the ABCD model, and it certainly has utility if you choose to live as though trust is possible. But maybe the real insight isn’t how to build trust—it’s how easily trust is broken, how blindly it’s given, and how often it’s misplaced. Maybe trust isn’t the foundation of strong relationships, but a risky bet we all pretend is safe. Even our trust in ourselves—our judgment, memory, ethics—can be distorted by ego or emotion. You think you’re dependable, until you burn out. You think you’re honest, until the truth threatens your image. You think you care, until it’s inconvenient. The self can’t always be trusted, which makes trusting others even more precarious.
So where does that leave us? Not in despair, but in awareness. Maybe the best move isn’t to trust more—it’s to trust less, but smarter. Don’t assume trust is deserved. Make people earn it—and re-earn it. Be skeptical of charm, of polished performance, of fast connection. Question your own motives, too. Trust isn’t a badge you wear—it’s a pattern you prove over time, and even then, it should be held with caution, not given away freely. The more clearly you see the risks, the better you can protect yourself from betrayal, disappointment, and self-deception. And maybe, just maybe, that’s when trust becomes something real. Not blind. Not naive. But deliberate.
Trust is fragile—easier to fake than to find, and once broken, rarely ever whole again. We talk about trust as though it’s a noble thing to give, but the truth is, it’s a gamble. “Trust Works!” by Ken Blanchard, Cynthia Olmstead, and Martha Lawrence offers a framework for understanding how trust operates between people, but reading between the lines reveals something else entirely: if trust is so easily shattered, so dependent on interpretation, and so hard to pin down, can it really be relied on at all? Even our own perception of trust is flawed. We trust the wrong people, ignore red flags, or worse—convince ourselves that we’re trustworthy when our actions prove otherwise. The ABCDs of trust—Able, Believable, Connected, Dependable—may aim to build trust, but they also reveal how little of it truly exists, and how dangerous it is to hand it out blindly.
Start with 'Able'. Competence sounds like a solid foundation for trust—but how many people do you know who seem capable on the surface, yet drop the ball when it matters most? Skill doesn’t equal reliability. People put on performances all the time—polished resumes, confident talk, showing up just enough to seem dependable. But behind the curtain, even the most 'able' person can lie, fake, or manipulate results to maintain an image. Worse, we deceive ourselves into thinking we're competent enough, when deep down, we may be avoiding real challenges or blaming others for failures we had a hand in. Trusting yourself to always be the expert, always have it together, is naive. You can’t trust others’ competence, and you shouldn’t trust your own without serious scrutiny. Consistency, the backbone of ability, can be faked in the short term. Long-term? That’s where the cracks show.
Then there's 'Believable'—the illusion of honesty. We’re told to value integrity, but even good people twist the truth when it suits them. We lie to protect our image, to avoid conflict, or to make things easier. And we excuse it. A little exaggeration here, a harmless omission there. Over time, it adds up. What does it say that people feel they 'have' to lie just to survive certain environments—workplaces, families, relationships? The lesson? Don’t confuse politeness for integrity. And don’t assume your own moral compass is perfectly aligned either. We all carry a self-serving bias. We believe we’re honest—until honesty costs us something. Trusting someone’s word means trusting their motivations, their ability to resist fear, ego, and temptation. Good luck with that. Believability is less about someone’s moral fiber and more about how well they hide their contradictions.
'Connectedness' is sold to us as a feel-good component of trust—caring, listening, relating. But connection is slippery. People connect to get things. We listen when we want influence. We open up to extract trust, not necessarily to give it. Vulnerability is a currency that can be used for manipulation just as easily as for bonding. Be cautious of people who overshare too quickly—they might just be trying to disarm you. Even your own sense of emotional connection can lie to you. You feel someone 'gets' you, so you let your guard down. But feelings are unreliable. They’re shaped by context, hormones, nostalgia, loneliness. The person who seems like your closest ally today may turn distant—or even against you—when their priorities shift. And we do the same to others, whether we admit it or not. In the end, 'connection' is a moving target. Temporary alignment doesn't guarantee long-term trust.
And then there's 'Dependable'—the idea that showing up and following through means you’re trustworthy. But plenty of people hit deadlines and return calls while hiding deeper failings. Following rules doesn’t equal being ethical. People can be perfectly punctual and still be careless with your secrets, your emotions, or your reputation. Dependability is often confused with routine, but trust doesn’t lie in routines—it lies in loyalty, in commitment when things get messy. That’s when people vanish. We praise reliability, but forget how quickly people can stop being reliable when it stops serving them. Even you. Ever broken a promise to yourself? A goal? A commitment? Thought so. If you can’t count on your own word at all times, how can you place your faith in someone else’s?
The book’s core idea—that you can rebuild trust through intentional behavior—feels optimistic, maybe too much so. Sure, you can try to be better. You can develop self-awareness, ask for feedback, make amends. But here’s the truth nobody likes to admit: rebuilding trust is often about image repair, not actual change. We want to be 'seen' as trustworthy more than we want to 'be' trustworthy. And even if you are genuine in your effort, people will judge you based on your worst moment, not your best intentions. One mistake can define you in someone’s eyes forever. Trust doesn’t operate on fairness—it operates on perception.
Another layer to this: people don’t all define trust the same way. One person sees honesty as key; another values consistency more. So even if you 'think' you’re doing all the right things, someone else might still distrust you. Miscommunication, bias, personal baggage—these cloud every interaction. And if everyone’s playing by a slightly different rulebook, what’s the point of trying to 'measure' or 'earn' trust? It becomes a guessing game.
The authors mean well with the ABCD model, and it certainly has utility if you choose to live as though trust is possible. But maybe the real insight isn’t how to build trust—it’s how easily trust is broken, how blindly it’s given, and how often it’s misplaced. Maybe trust isn’t the foundation of strong relationships, but a risky bet we all pretend is safe. Even our trust in ourselves—our judgment, memory, ethics—can be distorted by ego or emotion. You think you’re dependable, until you burn out. You think you’re honest, until the truth threatens your image. You think you care, until it’s inconvenient. The self can’t always be trusted, which makes trusting others even more precarious.
So where does that leave us? Not in despair, but in awareness. Maybe the best move isn’t to trust more—it’s to trust less, but smarter. Don’t assume trust is deserved. Make people earn it—and re-earn it. Be skeptical of charm, of polished performance, of fast connection. Question your own motives, too. Trust isn’t a badge you wear—it’s a pattern you prove over time, and even then, it should be held with caution, not given away freely. The more clearly you see the risks, the better you can protect yourself from betrayal, disappointment, and self-deception. And maybe, just maybe, that’s when trust becomes something real. Not blind. Not naive. But deliberate.
May 3, 2025
Trust Works! (2013) explores how trust shapes relationships and drives successful teams and organizations. It outlines the simple yet powerful ABCD – able, believable, connected, and dependable – trust model, which you can use to cultivate, maintain, and restore trust.
trust is the essential ingredient behind every thriving relationship, effective team, or successful collaboration.
You can intentionally build trust every day by drawing on your ABCDs – being able, believable, connected, and dependable. That means consistently demonstrating competence, acting with integrity, genuinely connecting with those around you, and reliably keeping your commitments.
Each small action, from following through on your promises to showing empathy, helps nurture a sense of security and confidence in others. And remember, even if trust has been damaged or lost, you can always rebuild it with consistent, thoughtful effort.
trust is the essential ingredient behind every thriving relationship, effective team, or successful collaboration.
You can intentionally build trust every day by drawing on your ABCDs – being able, believable, connected, and dependable. That means consistently demonstrating competence, acting with integrity, genuinely connecting with those around you, and reliably keeping your commitments.
Each small action, from following through on your promises to showing empathy, helps nurture a sense of security and confidence in others. And remember, even if trust has been damaged or lost, you can always rebuild it with consistent, thoughtful effort.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2018
I admittedly picked it up with someone else as the reader in mind when communication went disrespectful and I sensed mistrust and suspicion. It is a book found in the business section of the library but I ended up reading it and finding it very valuable for my own private life, reflecting on my previous jobs and even romantic relationships.
The author Ken Blanchard believes that to build a relationship in which the partners (or friends or colleagues) trust each other, one must be Able, Believable, Connected and Dependable.
He coins the term “trust busters”, ie behaviour that destroys trust and lists counter-solutions which contains many basic and well-known suggestions like “listen with empathy”, “don’t talk behind people’s back” and “admit when you were wrong”.
Working though it step by step tho made me reflect on my skills in a (private or business) relationship or friendship.
The author Ken Blanchard believes that to build a relationship in which the partners (or friends or colleagues) trust each other, one must be Able, Believable, Connected and Dependable.
He coins the term “trust busters”, ie behaviour that destroys trust and lists counter-solutions which contains many basic and well-known suggestions like “listen with empathy”, “don’t talk behind people’s back” and “admit when you were wrong”.
Working though it step by step tho made me reflect on my skills in a (private or business) relationship or friendship.
May 28, 2017
A simple and practical book. The principles taught are easy to apply and impactful. This isn't new age fluff, but truths that are fairly intuitive and presented in a logical and organized manner. A bit if an eye opener. Had I read this book in the past it would have saved a great deal of frustration and heart break. Every teenager should read this book.
Key messages: Different people trust others in different ways. Trust can make a huge difference in career and family relationships. There are many simple strategies to becoming trustworthy. There are some ways to discuss this with others and help others become more trust worthy.
Key messages: Different people trust others in different ways. Trust can make a huge difference in career and family relationships. There are many simple strategies to becoming trustworthy. There are some ways to discuss this with others and help others become more trust worthy.
October 13, 2019
En bok i två delar om hur man bygger relationer där det går att lita på varandra. I härlig traditionell Ken Blanchard-stil är första delen en jättebra berättelse om några husdjur (En katt, en hund, en papegoja, en hamster och en guldfisk) som tvingas att lära sig samarbeta med varandra för att få vara kvar i huset. Den är (om än kanske inte lika bra som Blanchards bästa historier) klockren! Däremot tycker jag att del två blir alldeles för ytlig.
De två bra koncepten att ta med sig är:
ABCD modellen: A = Able, B = Believable, C = Connected, D = Dependable
5A's modellen för att bygga tillbaka "trust":
Acknowledge and Assure, Admit to your part, Apologize, Assess, Agree
De två bra koncepten att ta med sig är:
ABCD modellen: A = Able, B = Believable, C = Connected, D = Dependable
5A's modellen för att bygga tillbaka "trust":
Acknowledge and Assure, Admit to your part, Apologize, Assess, Agree
December 3, 2022
Perhaps I just didn't need to read what they had to say, but I found it very light on actionable principles. It all boiled down to being cognizant of how others perceive you and ensure that you have a service mindset where you become indispensible, so you can help others get over the hump of any bias they may have against you. Not awful, but it was written in the form of an aesop's fable for no apparent reason. I wouldn't recommend reading it if you already embrace the principle I mentioned above.
February 16, 2021
The ABCD Trust Model Balchard mentioned in the book is a superb model.
It's a straightforward concept but yet very powerful.
How do you build trust between two or more people?
And in what situation, you do not trust someone?
You can find all the answer by using the ABCD Trust Model.
The trust model basically works in every situation, whether in business, family, spouse, children and friend.
I highly recommended it.
It's a straightforward concept but yet very powerful.
How do you build trust between two or more people?
And in what situation, you do not trust someone?
You can find all the answer by using the ABCD Trust Model.
The trust model basically works in every situation, whether in business, family, spouse, children and friend.
I highly recommended it.
August 15, 2018
Great book.
Gives an easy framework for working on trust issues. ABCD Model seems very good. I did that assessment exercise too and the results surprised myself. I hope I get to try ABCD Model in real life soon for it shows that frictionless trust can be built if you start discussing the trust busters using the ABCD elements approach!
Gives an easy framework for working on trust issues. ABCD Model seems very good. I did that assessment exercise too and the results surprised myself. I hope I get to try ABCD Model in real life soon for it shows that frictionless trust can be built if you start discussing the trust busters using the ABCD elements approach!
March 2, 2024
I really like this kind of writing. It starts with on a fictional note with a story about talking animals and the knowledge about trust is weaved into it.
It talks about an Able, Believable, Connected and Dependable (ABCD) framework on how to build trust. I was able to connect to it well. Well written and easily understood
It talks about an Able, Believable, Connected and Dependable (ABCD) framework on how to build trust. I was able to connect to it well. Well written and easily understood
November 22, 2024
Another “system” for building a certain characteristic. I loved the ideas and the reminder to be trustworthy and liked how the author narrowed the attributes down into four areas that are easy to remember. 👈🏻 Even though this felt gimmicky, it resonated with me and helped me feel the desire to be more trustworthy.
June 6, 2017
A quick and easy read with good advice: building and maintaining trust is the most important task for leadership (and just about everything else) today. The fable was a bit hokey and some of the "ABCD trust model" conversations a bit unrealistic, but the underlying message is solid.
July 13, 2017
Wow, what a fantastic read. It was short and concise full of value. I wish I was given this book when I was a teenager. I could relate and start noticing patterns of the people I admire using the techniques. I hope to do the same now!
March 19, 2020
I read this book for a book club at my work and enjoyed the general layout of the book and the self assessments. This book has helped my coworkers and myself with open communication and listening better to one another.
February 17, 2022
A simple and easy to understand model on the basics of fostering trust with and among others. It’s not rocket science but it’s a good summary of actions and principles that have been put together in a formalised, easily digestible model with a parable to kickstart the process! Great read!
May 7, 2022
A quick read, mainly goes over characteristics that help build and bust trust in an organisation. Discusses the need of trust and it’s effect on culture and the subsequent effects on the organisation moving forward.
November 21, 2024
Although very cheesy, this book presents true and timeless relationship principles in a very concise way. I really appreciated reading it as I hadn’t thought through the idea of trust in this way. It was very thought-provoking.
July 31, 2018
اربع كلمات تساعدك في بناء العلاقات
هذا الكتاب اقرأه للمرة الثانية وفِي كل مرة اجد به درر ، ويحدث بداخلي نقلات
هذا الكتاب اقرأه للمرة الثانية وفِي كل مرة اجد به درر ، ويحدث بداخلي نقلات
August 27, 2018
Simple and easy to understand, great framework to apply!
February 1, 2021
Helder framework met bruikbare werkpunten. Makkelijk uitgelegd dankzij de parabel. Het boek ontbreekt echter aan diepgaande inzichten en blijft te veel op de dit-werkt-altijd-zelfhulpboekvlakte.
September 22, 2021
This is the third book of Blanchard that I read in the past two months and all his books are simple and understandable. By reading this, You will have a great understanding on trust
January 26, 2023
The information in this book was good, but did not merit a 100+ page book where half the pages were only 50% full. A short article would have sufficed.
April 5, 2025
2.5 stars
Very boring, condescendingly simplistic writing style, not very creative, and all around a snooze-fest. But it's probably effective and accurate - so there is that.
Very boring, condescendingly simplistic writing style, not very creative, and all around a snooze-fest. But it's probably effective and accurate - so there is that.
January 23, 2026
Short book.
January 31, 2026
2.5. Extremely simplistic.
June 24, 2013
However much I like the books by Ken Blanchard, I wasn't very impressed by this "Trust works". A tale with the cat and a dog that don't get along, the ABCD model (A for Able, B for Believable, C for Connected and D for Dependable), those elements were fine enough. It's in the second part, where the elements of the model are worked out, where I think the advice is too simplistic. It follows the model: If you're not X, do the opposite of X. For example, "Failing to be accountable for your actions"; Solution: "Be accountable for your actions". Really, it would not have crossed my mind! The real problem is in the "how", how to get to this solution, which is hardly given any space. I didn't read the last section of the book, I didn't believe there was any more of use to come. Let me put it this way: I think it's a missed opportunity. The authors have an important topic, trust, which I think too is so important in working with others. The ABCD model is interesting, I just think it could have been worked out more so it will be a real help in achieving more trust.
November 17, 2014
I had mixed reviews about this book. I generally love parables. I love the idea of learning through stories.
Trust Works! is broken into 2 parts. First part being a parable of household animals and specifically the issues of a cat and dog learning to trust each other. Along with this there was a sub-plot of a child trusting her parents. And on top of that there was another sub-plot of the father gaining his boss's trust. I think all of this lead to a very noisy story that did not flow well.
The second part of this book got into the question asking and nuts and bolts of trust. I thought this part of the book added a lot of value. As much as I didn't care for the parable portion, the second section does a good job of going back and pointing out instances in the story that exemplify trust building.
Trust Works! is broken into 2 parts. First part being a parable of household animals and specifically the issues of a cat and dog learning to trust each other. Along with this there was a sub-plot of a child trusting her parents. And on top of that there was another sub-plot of the father gaining his boss's trust. I think all of this lead to a very noisy story that did not flow well.
The second part of this book got into the question asking and nuts and bolts of trust. I thought this part of the book added a lot of value. As much as I didn't care for the parable portion, the second section does a good job of going back and pointing out instances in the story that exemplify trust building.
November 13, 2013
It may sound funny, but I finally began to understand some things about relationships with my family as well as the people I call friends and the people I don't want to call friends as well as myself. It begins with a parable about cats and dogs which sounds so obvious, but it really got me thinking. If you are serious about the subject matter, I highly suggest that you do the quizzes in the book. I'm a fan o the other books, though, Who moved my Cheese?, Where's my Cheese.
Its a book that helps with personal and work relationships. It may be sad to say, but not everyone gets the lessons about trust growing up. This book filled in the blanks for me.
Its a book that helps with personal and work relationships. It may be sad to say, but not everyone gets the lessons about trust growing up. This book filled in the blanks for me.
September 2, 2014
This guide aims to help people build trusting relationships using stories, some of which are very cheesy. I think the ideas presented are important and young people would especially benefit from reading this book; however, the cheesy-factor will be a big turn off.
I would suggest parents read this book and find a way to pass the information on to their kids.
As for adults with trust issues...this is probably not the book they will pick up (unfortunately).
I would suggest parents read this book and find a way to pass the information on to their kids.
As for adults with trust issues...this is probably not the book they will pick up (unfortunately).
August 6, 2015
Interesting book. Really makes you think about what kinds of things constitute trust, and suggests a reasonable framework for evaluating trust problems in relationships. It takes a parable-like approach which is effective but feels a little bit condescending. Very helpful self-evaluation materials in the book, which helped me identify areas where I can improve myself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews