This an
instance where I got burned because I chose to trust someone. It happened when I was a sophomore. I and
other four friends decided to do a Research on the Lapse and Protection of Folk
Technology in China. In addition to the questionnaire,
we also planned to interview a famous folk art expert to support our research.
One of my friend said that she knew that expert when that expert gave the
lecture a few months ago in our university. She promised that she can complete
the interview on her own. Then the rest of us can focus on the questionnaire. We
all trusted her. While in the end, she failed to interview the expert. Due to
lack of the interview part, we cannot finish the research very well.
Actually at that time, we needed someone to
contact the expert first, and then we would finish that interview together. But
that person persisted to do that independently. The possible results are that
she cannot interview that expert or the outcomes of interview are not satisfactory.
According to trust model (Robert F. Hurley, 2006), all the level of decision
maker are very high. I am high risk-tolerant person and well-adjusted with the
result. And I can completely decide who implement this interview. The most
critical part of our research is the questionnaire and the following analysis. That
interview can enrich our research but not the necessary part. So as relating to
situation, it is quite secure to trust her. And we are in the same group, have
common goals at that time and both are interested in Folk Technology. That girl
is very outgoing and talkative. As she has good communication skills, are
familiar with and interested in the topic we research and she has talked about
with the expert in the lecture. So I trusted her and am very confident in her.
Even she failed to finish that assignment; we still can complete the research
but not that good. The workload of questionnaire is too large and time is
limited. If we all take part in the interview, the other work cannot be
finished on time. And that person is the most appropriate person to finish that
assignment in our group. The trust between I and her is the identification
based trust (Thompson, L, 2009). Because of the emotional connection
between us, I unconditional trust that person when she said that she in
competent. Considering situational factors levels are also very high, I trusted
that she can finish the interview well with no doubt.
After that event, I found that the attitude
of the person is more important than her capability. I should question clearly
why she insist on do that interview on her own and be aware of her attitude
toward the research. Then I can find whether I can trust her. And when do work
with friends, I should use my mind to think repeated and clearly before making
decision. And I should not be influenced by the friendship. It is quite
difficult to negotiate with friends (Thompson, L, 2009). I should take care of
her mind, respond to her needs. I prefer to trust her for our friendship. That influences
my rational thinking. We should use an equality theory when negotiating with
friends. And I also need to track the process of work to avoid accident.
Reference
Thompson, L.(2009). Establishing Trust and building a relationship. The mind and heart of the negotiator, Pearson Prentice Hall
Robert F. Hurley, (2006). The decision to
trust. Harvard Business Review, 84(9)
