“Regardless of the profession or situation, earning trust is paramount in leadership.”1
On September 4, 2024, the Denver Post published an article titled, Years of Misconduct, Inside CBI’s Inquiry into a DNA Analyst.
The story is about Yvonne “Missy” Woods who was a DNA scientist for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Woods had gained a reputation for producing more work than her co-workers, and for working long hours including nights and weekends. The article stated, “for nearly 30 years, she reaped rewards: accolades and awards, high scores on performance evaluations, assignments to the state’s most high-profile criminal cases.”
When CBI employees questioned Woods work, they were shut down by supervisors in the organization. It was not until late 2023 that someone finally woke up at CBI and investigated what Woods was doing. The Denver Post article went on to state, “The agency found Woods cut corners in much of her DNA testing, then covered up her shortcuts by altering, deleting or omitting data from lab work.”
Up to the time the article was published, the CBI had called into question 809 of Woods cases between 1994 and 2023. The Denver Post further stated that the Colorado State Legislature has set aside $7.5 million dollars “to remedy the wrongdoing.”2 Wrongdoing! No fooling!
Trust me!
How often have you heard someone say, “Trust me!” Trust must be earned. However, all too often we place implicit trust in someone simply because of the position held, the title bestowed upon them, or the organization employing them when we know little or nothing about those individuals.
Based on the information released to this point, Woods violated the trust of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The CBI violated the trust of their employees, the judicial system, and the citizens of Colorado. This says nothing about the potential for innocent victims sitting in prison because of Woods’ misconduct.
It may take years to build trust with other people, but in a second, that trust can be destroyed like a bomb going off in your face.
Are you trustworthy? Is your organization trustworthy? Does your organization listen to the concerns of employees when they shine light on potential problems?
I am sure there is more to this story about Woods and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. However, my point is to ask if you are a trustworthy individual.
1 Rick Davis, The Furnace of Leadership Development, (Loveland, CO: Java House Publishing, 2019), 252 https://www.denverpost.com/2024/09/04/cbi-colorado-missy-woods-dna-scientist-misconduct
