Issue 04: Trust Is the Currency of Leadership and Culture

☕ Brewed for Leaders Who Care

Espresso & Empathy — Issue 04

By: Shannon Foster

Founder & Senior Consultant, Martin & Foster Consulting

March 27, 2025

Why Trust Matters More Than Ever

In the modern workplace, trust isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a business strategy.

When employees trust their leaders, they bring creativity, vulnerability, and initiative to the table. They take smart risks. They speak up. They stay.

But when trust is missing:

• Innovation halts

• Communication breaks down

• Culture suffers

According to the PwC Trust in U.S. Business Survey, 55% of employees say trust is critical to job satisfaction. Yet only 31% of leaders believe their organization is very trustworthy.

That gap? That’s where disengagement, turnover, and dysfunction thrive.

Trust-Building Behaviors for Every Leader

Trust isn’t built in big gestures—it’s earned in the day-to-day. Here’s how leaders can grow it:

• Be Transparent – Share what you know. Say what you mean. Even when it’s tough.

• Be Reliable – Keep your word, follow up, and follow through.

• Be Empathetic – Listen to understand, not just to respond.

• Recognize Others – Appreciation builds connection. Don’t underestimate its impact.

The Ken Blanchard Companies’ research highlights three essential elements for building trust: Ability, Believability, and Connectedness. Leaders build trust when they demonstrate competence, act with integrity, and show genuine care for others. Trust isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process of alignment between words and actions.

When leaders are intentional about trust-building, teams become more engaged, resilient, and willing to collaborate toward shared goals.

Source: The Ken Blanchard Companies (2023). Building Trust: A Key to Leadership Effectiveness.

https://www.blanchard.com/resources/leadership-perspectives/building-trust

Leadership Wake-Up Call

If your team is silent during meetings, avoids sharing feedback, or hesitates to ask for help—

That’s not a performance issue.

That’s a trust issue.

Leadership Without Trust Is Just Management

Transactional leadership might get short-term results—but it rarely inspires long-term loyalty.

When trust is the foundation, teams thrive.

When trust is missing, even the most talented people will disengage.

Final Thoughts

You won’t always get it perfect. And that’s okay.

Trust isn’t about being flawless—it’s about being present, consistent, and real.

Lead with integrity. Lead with empathy. And above all—lead with trust.

Because when trust is strong, everything else becomes possible.

Let’s keep building workplaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

Until next time,

Shannon