Trust continues to be the most pivotal element needed in successful relationships—from the personal to the political to business. With compelling examples, convincing research, and penetrating insights, Covey and Link teach people how to develop optimal trust relationships by mastering Smart Trust.

Stephen M. R. Covey’s first book, The Speed of Trust—a #1 Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestseller— teaches the fundamentals of trust—what it is, how it is established, and how it can be regained when lost. Now, there is a new, more urgent crisis: This is an era of extreme distrust—of the government, our institutions, and in our personal and professional relationships. The economic crisis was a categorical loss of confidence in our interdependent global economic relationships and systems, and the world is in desperate need of a system that can restore that trust.

Smart Trust addresses the seeming paradox that in spite of current historic low levels of trust there is also striking evidence of people, companies, and countries that are prospering from high trust. Smart Trust offers hundreds of examples around the globe—individuals, teams, organizations, markets, and industries—that have created cultures and relationships of high trust and are enjoying remarkable benefits—prosperity, energy, and joy. Smart Trust offers a proven formula to teach what they are doing and how they are doing it. Listeners will learn how to integrate these exceptional examples into all aspects of life—institutional, cultural, and personal. Smart Trust is filled with Covey’s principles and strategies for creating environments that thrive because of trust. There has never been a more important time for this discussion.

Stephen M.R. Covey is cofounder and CEO of CoveyLink Worldwide. A Harvard MBA, he is the former CEO of Covey Leadership Center, which under his stewardship became the largest leadership development company in the world. Covey resides with his wife and children in the shadows of the Rocky Mountains.