A matter of TRUST...

Many companies install manual punch card machines or electronic attendance clocking system for their employees and some even install CCTVs within the company's premises. Have you ever wondered what the underlying reasons are? No doubt there are some administrative benefits from these installations, but more importantly and psychologically speaking, it is a subtle indication of a lack of trust.

There are two theories on human behaviours, namely Theory X and Theory Y. Theory X assumes that people are generally bad, lazy, cruel, dishonest and not trustworthy; theory Y assumes that people are generally good, diligent, kind, honest and trustworthy. How we act depends on how we think. If we think negative of others, we would naturally adopt Theory X in our approach in management. We don't trust people. However, those who believe that people are generally good and honest would do away with those monitoring devices. There is no right or wrong in this situation but a matter of belief or value system one holds.

Applying Theory X, we basically say, "I won't trust you until you prove that you can be trusted."; whereas if we apply Theory Y, we would say, "I will trust you until you misplace my trust."