More than 100 years ago, people often used the phrase “square dealing” to describe someone who was honest, fair, and trustworthy. This was a term that was used by our founding members as well. It meant doing business the ‘right way’ — even when no one was watching.
The phrase may sound old-fashioned today, but the idea behind it is still incredibly important.
Every day, people make decisions based on trust. Employers trust employees to do their work honestly. Customers trust businesses to deliver what they promise. Teams trust each other to communicate clearly and follow through. Without trust, even simple things become harder, slower, and more expensive.
That’s why integrity matters so much in leadership.
Being a principled leader does not mean being perfect. It means being dependable. It means telling the truth, taking responsibility, honoring commitments, and treating people fairly — especially when it is easier not to.
A recent supply chain analysis published by Supply Chain Brain explained how trust between businesses can improve efficiency and strengthen partnerships. Companies with strong supplier relationships were able to share information faster, coordinate production changes more effectively, and solve problems collaboratively during disruptions. The article noted that when trust exists between businesses, “the cost to manage the supplier-buyer relationship decreases” while decision-making and problem-solving become faster.
Trust as infrastructure.
That lesson applies far beyond supply chains.
Strong organizations and strong economies both depend on systems where people are expected to act ethically and where accountability exists when they do not. Trust grows when people believe the rules are fair and consistently applied.
For students and young professionals (and experienced professionals!), “square dealing” can show up in simple ways:
- Following through on commitments
- Owning mistakes
- Giving honest credit to others
- Treating people with respect
These actions may seem small, but over time they shape reputations, relationships, and careers, and provide us with opportunities in business – and in life – to build trust one decision at a time.
Source: Supply Chain Brain, “Supplier Trust is Becoming a Critical Success Factor for All Global Supply Chains.”
