Strengthening Organizations, Strengthening Communities

Strengthening Organizations, Strengthening Communities

BUILT ON TRUST ASSESSMENT SCALE

Purpose

This scale assesses the key aspects of trust in a group or organization.

Benefits

When used with a group that shares a common experience, this assessment scale can be a great tool to help identify what aspects of trust are working well for your group or organization and what might need attention. This scale can be used for a group or organization (i.e., the bonding form of social capital) as well as adapted to assess the trust levels of two or more groups or organizations working together (i.e., the bridging form of social capital).

Instructions

Following is a list of statements about your group or organization. Please indicate your level of agreement with each statement by circling the corresponding number. When you respond to the items, think about your group or organization and answer honestly and without thinking too deeply on any one item. Go with your first instinct; it’s usually the most accurate. Some statements are strengths and others are weaknesses; please be careful to adjust your responses accordingly.

Built on Trust

Below is a list of statements about your organization. Please indicate how much you agree with each statement by circling the corresponding number. Some statements are strengths and others are weaknesses; please be careful to adjust your responses accordingly.

Please rate the following items… / Strongly
Disagree / Disagree / Neutral / Agree / Strongly Agree
1. There is an atmosphere of authentic mutual trust in our organization. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
2. If there was something seriously wrong in our organization, I am confident someone would communicate our concerns. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
3. Everyone in our organization has a clear sense of our vision. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
4. Our communications end in closure regarding next steps and what tasks need to be done. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
5. Our communications end in closure regarding who will take the next steps. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
6. Our communications end in closure regarding when the next steps and tasks will be done. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
7. Our communications end in closure regarding how to do the next steps and tasks. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
8. People in our organization are afraid of taking risks. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
9. If I were troubled by something regarding our organization, I could safely discuss my concerns with my colleagues. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
10. If I were troubled by something regarding our organization, I could safely discuss my concerns with the Executive Director/Administration. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
11. If I were troubled by something one of my colleagues did, I could safely approach them with the issue. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
12. If I have a thought/idea different than others, I can safely contribute my thought during the discussion. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
13. If I have a thought/idea different than others, I can safely share my thought with someone after the discussion. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
14. I am very comfortable receiving help from others. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
15. There is an atmosphere of “what can we learn from this” when things do not go as expected. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
16. Conflict is handled openly. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
17. Conflict is handled in a timely manner. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
18. Projects have clear outcomes. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
19. Projects have clear action steps. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Please rate the following items… / Strongly
Disagree / Disagree / Neutral / Agree / Strongly Agree
20. Projects have clear intermediate milestones. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
21. My colleagues “walk the talk” regarding our organizational values. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
22. The Executive Director/Administration “walk the talk” regarding our organizational values. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
23. Communication in our organization is effective. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
24. Communication in our organization is timely. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
25. If there was something seriously wrong in our organization, I am confident most of us would seek ways to help. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
26. A “them vs. us” dynamic within our organization interferes with our work. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
27. A “them vs. us” dynamic with our external partners interferes with our work. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
28. There are unspoken barriers within our organization that make it difficult to get our work done. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
29. When I make a commitment, I am confident I will be able to fulfill that commitment. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
30. I am confident that others will follow through on commitments they make. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
31. I am reasonably sure no one I work with harbors resentment or serious unspoken disagreement with me. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
32. Everyone fully shares the risks of change within our organization. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
33. We do a good job of recognizing individual contributions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
34. We do a good job of recognizing team contributions. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
35. You can get in trouble if you voice concerns in our organization. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
36. A good job is done of addressing marginal performance. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
37. Our work is done to the satisfaction of our external partners. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
38. The commitments made to external partners are done on time. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
39. The norms of our organization effectively facilitate closure and commitment. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
40. This assessment is a 100% positive opportunity to provide feedback to our organization. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
41. My responses are 100% authentic to how I really feel/believe. / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

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