Trust Account

Trust Account

A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor. Proverbs 14:25

“Your word is your bond.” My mom said it so often that I can never forget it, which is probably exactly what she wanted. She couldn’t stand the thought of someone thinking she was unreliable. She believed a person’s character reveals what he or she really believes. My parents were very clear about the importance of character and taught us to choose friends we could trust.

That lesson must have stuck with me, because my closest friends today are people of high character. I have friends of all ages, races, and backgrounds, but I don’t hang around people I can’t trust. I also look for character in the people I work with. I hired coaching staffs with that in mind. My style has always been to hire talented people and let them do their jobs, so they had to be trustworthy, because I wouldn’t spend my time checking up on them. I always wanted coaches and players who would represent the team well, both on and off the field.

As far as I’m concerned, this is the only way to have a successful team. Ability and talent can’t make up for a lack of character. And that applies not only to sports, but to every area of life. In any joint effort—family, work, church, or any other aspect of life—we have to have unwavering trust in each other. I have to be able to depend on you to follow through on what you say, and you have to be able to depend on me to do the same.

We are far more effective in life when we believe it’s important to be honest all the time, not just to avoid getting caught in a lie; when we realize winning at all costs isn’t worth it when the cost is our integrity; and when we understand that there really is a God who rewards good character.

Uncommon Key > People will respect your character more than they respect your accomplishments. And a key element of character is trustworthiness. If others can trust you, it challenges them to be just as honorable. Everything you do flows out of who you are and whether you can be counted on.