Author: Gabe Walker

Discover the tool that turns goals into growth—with one simple word.

Every January, we promise ourselves transformation. We set resolutions with determination, envisioning a healthier, happier, more successful version of ourselves. But by February, those dreams often feel distant, and the cycle of self-blame begins.

Here’s what I want you to remember. 

Your resolutions didn’t fail because your dreams were too big.

Or because your reasons weren’t strong enough.

Or even because you lacked commitment. 

It’s because you likely missed the final, most critical step in goal-setting: defining and making the first actionable move forward.

Experts often emphasize clarity as “knowing what you want and why you want it”. While those are essential—the WHY gives your goal emotional significance and the WHAT defines the end result—they leave out the most important piece of the puzzle: HOW you’ll get there. 

Without an action plan, the why and what are little more than wishful thinking. To achieve your resolutions—or any goal for that matter—and become the best version of yourself in the process, you need to answer for how.

Turning a figment into the future: The How-How-How tool.

The How How How tool is one of my favorites (so much so that it’s one of my top ten tools of my new book—Page 62) designed to turn dreams into a roadmap. The premise is simple: keep asking how until you’ve defined a specific, actionable step you can take right now. 

 The final “how” must include:

• What you’re doing.
• Where you’re doing it.
• When it’s happening.
• Who is responsible.

This method not only transforms vague aspirations into a roadmap for success—it turns your first step into a giant leap. And who doesn’t love a head start?

Why Clarity Fuels Hope

When you can take immediate action—however small—you shift your focus from wishing to doing. Action builds momentum. Momentum builds results. And results are always awesome. 

That’s the foundation of the “How-How-How” tool. It’s not just about dreaming big; it’s about starting smart.

Here are three examples to this tool in action—and how it can apply to personal, professional, and and even organizational goals.

Example 1: A Personal Goal

Goal: Get healthier this year.

How 1: How will I get healthier?

I’ll take in fewer calories.

How 2: How will I take in fewer calories?

I’ll reduce how much sugar I’m eating and drinking.

How 3: How will I reduce my sugar intake?

I’ll stop drinking soft drinks when I travel, which is a lot.

Today’s Action: I’ll switch to a calorie-free soda alternative or water on every flight, layover, and restaurant—starting now. (Pssst. This one is from the personal archives, folks—after my doctor told me I needed to drop 50 pounds. While it didn’t automatically get me to my goal, it gave me the fuel I needed to make other fantastic health changes—and I’m still going strong!)

Example 2: A Professional Goal

Goal: Get a promotion.

How 1: How will I get a promotion?

I’ll improve my leadership skills.

How 2: How will I improve my leadership skills?

I’ll take on a high-visibility project.

How 3: How will I take on a high-visibility project?

Today’s action: I’ll prepare my talking points for my next one-on-one with my manager, and I’ll ask what projects need a lead and volunteer for one.

Example 3: A Team/Organizational Goal

Goal: Increase team productivity by 20%.

How 1: How will we increase productivity?

We’ll improve communication.

How 2: How will we improve communication?

We’ll establish regular check-ins.

How 3: How will we establish regular check-ins?

Today’s action: I’ll schedule a recurring weekly team meeting starting next monday, draft a working agenda, and send the meeting invite this afternoon.

The Step That Changes Everything

We’ve all been told to dream big, to know our reasons, and to envision success. But the truth is, dreaming alone doesn’t lead to doing. If you’ve struggled to make your resolutions stick, it’s not because you lacked motivation or ambition. It’s likely because you didn’t know the next action step to take—and didn’t take it soon enough..

The “How How How” tool bridges the gap between intention and action. It transforms your why and what into tangible steps, showing you exactly how to move forward. And when you can take immediate action—today, right now—you create the momentum that turns dreams into reality.

So, this year, don’t just set resolutions. Map them. Break them down. Light them up. Define your first action, and start building the future you envision. Clarity isn’t just about knowing what you want; it’s about knowing how to make it happen. Before you know it, you’ll be waking up feeling healthy, vibrant, and ready to take your career and your team to the next level. And how!

Leaders who focus on delivering concrete results will always outshine those who rely on mere promises.

Infomercials claim to deliver tangible results. The Shake Weight promises to tone your arms. The ShamWow soaks up any liquid mess 10 times its weight. The Clapper turns lights on and off with a simple clap of your hands. Often, a host demonstrates how to use the product and late-night TV viewers can see the results for themselves, which is why infomercials are so successful. 

Much like how infomercials offer results, leaders at organizations and businesses also need authentic contributions to build trust. Sure, leaders benefit from having genuine compassion and character. But leaders who deliver real results will win out over those who only deliver empty promises. They also have better relationships with team members, drive revenue, and help others to share in those outcomes.

Six E’s Model to Foster Contribution 

Employees need motivation from leadership teams to make high-quality, meaningful contributions in the workplace. So, if you want to see a change in your organization, it has to start with you. 

Model these six key “E” behaviors firsthand to spark motivation and contributions from your coworkers: 

• Example. Lead with your actions. Demonstrate exactly how you want something completed or what you mean when you say “XYZ.” 
• Expectation. Make sure your colleagues understand what you need from them to support a project. Allow them to ask questions and be prepared to provide clarity if needed. 
• Education. Take the time to instruct your peers so that they can do their job quickly, efficiently, and effectively. Share roles, responsibilities, and supporting documents to onboard new employees and bring them up to speed.
• Encouragement. Affirm contributions made by teammates with genuine enthusiasm and kind words. Uplift others around you. Encourage everyone often. 
• Empower. Ensure that your team has the resources, tools, and your public support to finish a task or project. 
• Extend Trust. Make sure your direct reports know that you trust them to handle the responsibilities you’ve given them. When you increase your trust with others, they’re more likely to make greater, more significant contributions over time. 

When you and other senior leaders actively foster a culture that supports meaningful contributions, as well as a map to get there, employees are more likely to participate and work toward a common goal. This drives the success of your departments, teams, and overall business.

Plant Your Own Seeds  

In a recent Trust Outlook™ study, researchers discovered that when senior leaders are trusted, employees are more willing to share their ideas, opinions, and solutions. They are, in general, more likely to engage with a trusted leader and find ways to make significant contributions.

Just as seeds need water and sunshine to grow in a garden, leaders (that’s you!) need physical, mental, and emotional support to thrive. Check in with yourself — how are you feeling? What are some areas that need improvement? 

Follow the SEEDs Model and make sure you’re getting what you need to grow and cultivate positive contributions at work, at home, and in your community: 

• Sleep. Running on fumes doesn’t help anyone. Prioritize getting 7-9 hours of sleep to improve your cognitive focus, increase energy levels, and balance your mood.
  
• Exercise. Regular strength training, cardio sessions, and walks contribute to your daily health and wellbeing. Make time to contribute to your physical health by exercising 2-4 times per week.
  
• Eat Right. Load up on whole foods, like lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits. Limit processed foods and sugar. You’ll feel better, sleep better, and function better.
  
• Drink Water. Aim to drink half your bodyweight in ounces. For example, a 160-pound person should drink 80 ounces of water daily. This saves calories and makes sure the body stays hydrated.
  
• Source. Establish your biggest motivator for getting the job done. Know your “why” and let it guide you to dig deep to find the energy and focus to complete a project or meet a deadline.
  

Contribution and trust work together. 

Leaders who make consistent contributions inspire employees to do the same. Through a dedication to tangible results, a collaborative work environment, and a culture that fosters success, leaders can build trust, increase productivity, and boost contributions from others. 

Leaders who commit to something beyond themselves create an environment where trust thrives. Our Trust Edge Certification Program gives you access to the tools, training, and community to help you confirm your level of commitment. 

Ready to bridge the trust gap? Schedule a 15-minute discovery call now and become a member of our Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.

The Essential Role of Competency in Nourishing Resilient, Adaptive Organizations

The most important thing we can learn is how to learn.

If you are still leading the same way you did twenty years ago—or, let’s face it, in today’s fast-changing world, even five years ago—I probably don’t trust you. The nature of change means that mastery of anything is never complete.

People trust competence. Leaders who stay fresh, relevant, and capable are always engaged in learning new ways of doing things and staying current on ideas and trends. Deep knowledge requires humility, curiosity, and perseverance. 

It is a lifelong journey.

And learning is a journey we all want to be on. It’s what is behind the desire to find meaning in your work. People love to increase their competency. The pursuit of mastery is sparked by the very curiosity that makes us human.

Learning People Lead Learning Organizations

There is a connection between leaders engaged in lifelong learning and learning organizations. That connection, when nurtured, creates an inertia for trust-building: 75% of employees say they would trust their employers more if they were provided with more training opportunities. 

Our teams need us to pave the way for them to develop and grow. They want their curiosity stimulated and their engagement fed so they can feel and do their best.

Learning organizations equip their people to grow their competency.

And the impact makes for an adaptive, resilient organization. Two-thirds of all employees want to learn more about people skills than technical skills. People are hungry to grow not just in their current roles, but in their future ones. 

When we equip our people effectively, we get a whole lot of wins as leaders: higher engagement, lower attrition, and more consistency throughout the organization. 

How do we build learning organizations, where competency is increasing in our people every single day? We begin within.

Quality In, Quality Out

No formal study program or advanced degree can singularly facilitate the knowledge needed for a lifetime. Continuous learning is ongoing, the only way to be the best version of oneself. 

Most know this to be true, yet many don’t know how to prioritize continued learning—or where to start. 

As with our bodies, so with our minds: input always affects output. Quality nourishment—for body and mind—leads to better health, growth, and learning. Look to people you admire and investigate how they endeavor to stay fresh, relevant, and capable.

Last month we talked about Character and the month before that, Consistency. This sequence is no mistake: doing what is right, even when it is hard, and building habits around those priorities, are the path to greater Competency— and quality output. Below are some suggestions for investing in quality input.

• Read intentionally. Seek nourishing material over fluff or negativity.
• Take classes. Look into company resources and training. 
• Seek feedback. Get free advice. 
• Invest in coaching. Take a deep dive into self-awareness and accelerate growth.
• Join an association. Choose one that aligns with your passions—not just your profession.
• Find a mentor. You’re never too old for fresh perspectives or networking support.

Maybe you aren’t sure exactly what you want to invest in developing. If that’s the case, consider this: What are the most important competencies for today’s leaders? 

Competencies of Resilience

When leaders around the world were asked what they felt the most important leadership competencies were, some important themes emerged. 

These most important leadership competencies aren’t surprising, but none are easy to master. 

At the top of the list? “Demonstrating strong ethics and providing a sense of safety.” This is followed closely by “fostering a sense of connection or belonging” and “empowering others to self-organize.” 

The skills needed to possess these competencies aren’t acquired simply or quickly. They are the result of a quest for lifelong learning and evolutionary growth. They are a combination of Character and Consistency: conscious decisions about who you will become and the inertia behind making it so.

As you continue your quest, here’s a gentle reminder: competency isn’t perfection. In the real world, momentum stops and starts. But even a dead end brings us learning. Almost any great leader will tell you that their biggest mistakes led to their greatest insights. We don’t grow without stumbling from time to time, and we certainly don’t grow in a vacuum. 

We need others—and accountability to them—for us to remain humble lifelong learners and to build learning organizations.

Leaders who demonstrate a strong moral compass through transparency and authenticity create trust with employees and customers. Our Trust Edge Certification Program gives you access to the tools, training, and a thriving community to help you cultivate your character. If you’re ready to bridge the trust gap, schedule a 15-minute discovery call now and become a member of our Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.

“Getting Over” Imposter Syndrome and Letting Your Values Guide You

Leaders face a hard truth today: our teams and customers don’t trust us as much as we think they do.

In the United States, leaders perceive that their employees and customers trust them far more than either group actually does. This is what we call the trust gap, and according to the 2024 PwC Trust Survey, that gap is growing.

This is concerning for many reasons but most importantly because trust is critical to our long-term success. Trust building and maintaining improves the bottom line, at least according to 93% of business executives. The burning question, then, is: why the growing gap in trust?

Imposter Syndrome is Widening the Chasm

Melinda French Gates has spoken out recently about feeling like an imposter while at the helm of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. At the heart of her message behind “getting over it” as she continues her leadership journey is learning to accept that “I’ll never know everything… but I know enough to know what I know deeply at a core level and to speak those truths.”

Everybody knows they’re not perfect and yet when I sit in boardrooms, or next to leaders, presidents of companies, and presidents of countries, I see a whole lot of imposter syndrome where leaders are scared to death that they’re going to be found out. 

But guess what? Your teams and your customers already know when you’re not being fully honest or authentic with them. They might not know the details, but they have a far greater sense of when leaders aren’t being transparent than we give them credit for. 

People are far more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt if you’re willing to show a little openness and humility. It’s the human side of you that makes you relatable—that shows your character—and builds trust.

A Leap of Faith: Trusting Them First

Many people find it daunting to be more transparent and more authentic. It means revealing mistakes we think we made or flaws we think we have. We might fear that there will be consequences for our vulnerability.

It isn’t always easy, but character is all about doing what is right over what is easy. 

Think of someone you admire for having high character. Those who stand up for what they believe is right. Rosa Parks, Martin Luther, Greta Thunberg were (are) all just humans with foibles and flaws. They’re also people in possession of a clear sense of their values and a fearlessness to act on those values.

Building Bridges: Honest Practices

The message from the field is loud and clear: people value honesty over all other leadership qualities. So for today’s leaders to close the trust gap, consistently demonstrating they can be transparent and authentic where it counts is crucial.

Transparency is all about sharing information. Build your character pillar with these three strategies for bringing greater transparency to your organization’s culture.

• Practice clear communication. In a culture of civility and candor, people know exactly what is expected of them and are empowered to contribute. 
• Keep the team updated—openly and honestly. Leaders who play their cards too closely risk alienating employees who feel resources and secrets are being kept from them.
• Evaluate and discuss performance. Make time for an ongoing feedback process. Inform people about their performance relative to expectations in a factual and empathetic manner.

Authenticity requires first reflecting on your values. You must understand exactly where your moral compass is pointing before you can demonstrate it to others in a way that resonates with them. 

• Begin with self-awareness. Knowing who you are, what you stand for, and how others see you deepens your emotional intelligence—the secret sauce of authenticity.
• Practice vulnerability. Leaders who share their missteps and failures are perceived as more open and less haughty. Start small by sharing lessons you’ve learned from past mistakes.

The road to greater transparency and authenticity can be challenging. But the solution doesn’t lie in pushing away difficult emotions or avoiding challenging situations. Rolling with the ups and downs (and sharing them with team members) will deepen your character, endear your team to you, and begin to close the trust gap.
Leaders who demonstrate a strong moral compass through transparency and authenticity create trust with employees and customers. Our Trust Edge Certification Program gives you access to the tools, training, and a thriving community to help you cultivate your character. If you’re ready to bridge the trust gap, schedule a 15-minute discovery call now and become a member of our Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.

It’s the Little Things That Lay Unshakable Foundations

Small actions done consistently make the biggest difference. If my garden flourishes, it’s because I have tended it carefully over time, not because I dropped seeds in the ground yesterday. 

It is the same in business. The little things we do consistently—no matter what our role—result in a higher level of trust. This trust leads to greater results when our actions, both big and small, are clear, supportive, honest, and able to bring people together.

But consistency can be a double-edged sword.

If our consistent actions work against our goals, they negatively impact progress—and culture. For example, if I’m always late, my people will trust me to be…late. Over time, this lack of commitment becomes a part of the culture.

Your Reputation Is Constructed of Habits

It is unlikely that one highly visible action will be what distinguishes you as trustworthy. The only way to build a reputation as a leader is through consistency—thousands of small opportunities to show, over time, that you can be depended on.

Aristotle said that virtue is formed by actions. The writer Will Durant expounded on this, stating, “We are what we repeatedly do; therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit.”

Habits are those little actions we take over and over again—so often, in fact, that they impose themselves on our daily routines. Opening doors for others and unloading the dishwasher are habits just as much as biting fingernails or prioritizing screen time over personal interaction. 

Habits are the engine of consistency.

A reputation of any flavor, excellence or otherwise, is constructed of habits. But it’s not always easy to do something consistently, day in and day out—especially when introducing a new habit.

Because old habits are ingrained in our routine, habit change must begin conscientiously and specifically. Try our Trust Edge Habit Change Process for putting yourself on the path to enacting such change. We’ve outlined the process below with some examples:

1. What habit do I want to change? It can be small, such as being less absorbed in your tasks (and more open with your body language).
2. How will I benefit from changing? If you’re less absorbed in your tasks, you create more opportunities to connect with others.
3. What pain will I face from not changing? When you’re always absorbed in your tasks, it’s hard to connect with others, and your team may feel distanced from you; morale could suffer.
4. What am I replacing this habit with? Think of what you can do differently: “I will make eye contact with (and smile at) everyone I see.”
5. What resources do I need? Perhaps you need reminders to get started—maybe on your phone or next to your office door.
6. Who could help me change this habit? Tell a family member or a trusted colleague what you’re up to and ask them to check in with you on a regular basis.
7. What distractions do I need to remove? How? How? How? Think through the specifics of what is currently behind the old habit. Maybe you’ve taken on too many tasks that are better allocated or you need better time management skills. Maybe both?
8. What specific steps will I take? How? How? How? Define what actions you need to take: “I’ll stop trying to do three things at once! I’ll plan blocks of time to focus on specific tasks. I’ll also set clearer boundaries and give myself at least ten minutes between agenda items.”
9. How can I reward target behavior? How? How? How? It feels good to connect with people, and smiles tend to be reciprocal. With greater connection comes more chances for collaboration. Who knows? Maybe you can establish a place in the office where people can be more social!
10. How can I keep it top of mind? How? How? How? How about reading some of those books you’ve been wanting to read about building cultures of connection?
11. In 90 days, what will my new habit be? In addition to making eye contact and smiling at your team, you’ll be better able to inquire about their lives. The result: you’ll be more familiar with your team! 

As we form new habits, we slip up from time to time. If you’re trying hard to be on time and have consistently been able to do so, don’t sweat it if you run late to one meeting because of an unexpected traffic jam.

Consistency is all about the small stuff, so start small and spend just a little time on it each day. The time it takes to establish a habit can really vary—be patient with yourself and celebrate the small wins. Persistence and practice are the keys to success.

Scaffolding for New Habits

MIT researchers discovered a pattern in our brains behind every habit. The first step in that pattern is called a “cue.” Cues are triggers that prompt the habit behavior to unfold. For example, leaving a room prompts you to turn off the lights. 

When you think about the resources you need to change a habit (#5), imagine what cues you might need to nudge you toward the habit. 

Imagine you are trying to form a habit of personally recognizing your team members for their contributions. You might create a calendar notification prompting you to set aside ten minutes each day to first reflect on one team member who has contributed in a positive way—big or small—and then to reach out to them, either in person or online, just to tell them how much you appreciated what they did and acknowledge their contribution.

The hard work of establishing habits that support your values begins with a single act. Start small, repeat, and see how quickly the benefits stack up.
Leaders who act and respond consistently see results build up over time. Our Trust Edge Certification Program gives you access to the tools, training, and a thriving community to help you create the habits you need to reach your goals. If you’re ready to distinguish yourself as dependable, schedule a 15-minute discovery call now and become a member of our Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.

Discover the Antidote to Tension, Conflict, and Disengagement.

Last month, we talked about some ways in which purpose-alignment has transformed our work needs. Work is no longer a place where we “just” trade time and talents for money; it’s a place where we seek meaning, impact, and contribution. 

One outcome of this transformation is how easily tensions at work rise when teams feel poorly equipped to deliver their best work, inadequately recognized for their efforts, or unfairly penalized for not having all of the information they need to do their job well.

Untreated, these tensions lead to conflict and disengagement. When it comes to delivering work, nothing causes more tension than a lack of clarity—not even being interrupted or having a heavy workload.

Two Kinds of Clarity

In our work with trust-building organizations, we’ve found that TWO kinds of clarity are needed to empower and build trust in your teams. 

• Strategic clarity is all about the vision and making sure that everyone’s moving toward the same destination.
• Communication clarity is related to expectations, both long- and short-term, such as “What are my weekly goals?” or “How should we measure success in this context?”

Both types of clarity build on and feed off of each other. Strategic clarity is the throughline, the common motivator for building long-term momentum and informing shorter-term planning. Communication clarity is agile and responsive to daily discoveries, achievements, and challenges, and uses insights gained and lessons learned to inform the vision.

By the same token, neither strategic clarity nor communication clarity can stand alone. Without a uniting vision, daily tasks lack purpose or motivation. Without proper support and resources, employees are less motivated to execute a vision no matter how talented and skilled they are. You need both.

Compounding Clarity: Keep it Visible

One way to make clear communication, well, clear? Make sure everyone has easy and ready access to the information they need. 

Leaders can use the ODC Method (Outcome-Deadline-Clarifiers) for clear communication about both vision and expectations.

• Outcome: Whether the goal is big or small, this is where you communicate exactly what it is you are looking for.   
• Deadline: Provide extremely specific information about expectations, including the due date, what is expected, and who contributes.
• Clarifiers: Empower all sides to drill down for understanding, repeat what has been heard, and get alignment about expectations.

Once the vision and expectations are delivered and discussed, keep them alive by making them visible in ongoing ways. Empower autonomy by making the vision, strategic plan, and expectations easy to find and access. This might also mean incorporating the vision into daily memos, weekly meetings, quarterly calls, or company-wide rallying cries. The more and differently you communicate the same message, the more likely it will be heard, remembered, and acted upon. 

Clarity Requires Attention to Detail 

Unwinding poor work design can be complex. Like renovating a very old house, each attempted improvement can lead to the discovery of even more problems—all of which need to be addressed to properly do the work (and avoid costly fixes later!).

This means you have to pay attention. 

Repairing work processes that have evolved from a lack of clarity, like frequent task switching, isn’t easy. To get you off on the right foot, start with these three actions to begin to bring more clarity—and relief—to your people.

• Priority alignment. If any one person has more than three priorities, they can’t focus and might as well have no priorities at all. You’re doing it right when priorities echo across all teams.
• Key roles and responsibilities. Help your team know their key roles and responsibilities so there is zero ambiguity about what is expected from each.
• Have a meeting structure. Most people hate meetings because they lack structure, but well-run meetings make people feel supported and inspired.

Want to see how clear your priorities are in your organization? In your next meeting, ask everyone to state what their top priority is that week—and then discuss how (or if) it ties to the overall strategic vision. If anyone struggles, it’s a sign that there is work to be done. 

Start and End with Clarity

Clarity is the cornerstone of a productive and harmonious workplace. By ensuring both strategic and communication clarity, organizations can significantly reduce tension, conflict, and disengagement among their teams. Remember, clarity in purpose and expectations not only builds trust but also sets the foundation for effective communication, collaboration, and overall performance.

Reflect on your own workplace: Is there clarity of purpose in your team or organization? Are project expectations and deadlines communicated clearly? Do you have a clear understanding of your daily tasks?

If you answered “no” to any of these questions, remember: We gravitate toward what we understand. Start by aligning priorities, defining key roles and responsibilities, and establishing a structured meeting routine. Clarity isn’t just about avoiding confusion; it’s about creating a work environment where everyone feels empowered, focused, and motivated.

Let’s clear the way forward together—one trust-building conversation at a time.  

Leaders who motivate and support their teams with clarity facilitate autonomy, agility, and authority. Our Trust Edge Certification Program gives you access to the tools, training, and a thriving community to help you build a culture of clarity. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, schedule a 15-minute discovery call now and become a member of our Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.

Want employees to love working for you? Lead with compassion.

In the past, having a pleasant environment, a predictable routine, and enough compensation was enough to create a stable, satisfied workforce.

This is no longer the case.

Our daily lives and social functioning have shifted dramatically in the past decade, and with this, the purpose of work.

People today seek deeper meaning where they spend the majority of their time. Work no longer “just” funds a life or lifestyle. It’s an important part of that life, a reflection of our values and our vision for the world we want. Finding it (or not) largely determines how satisfied we feel with ourselves and our jobs—and, by extension, how capable our organizations are of thriving.

In other words, more and more of us are seeking out work that reflects what we care about—and more and more people demand that same care in return from our leaders and employers.

Wanted: Room to Ebb and Flow… Or Else

When employees feel ill-equipped or unable to act with the agility, authority, and autonomy required to deliver their best work, tensions rise. 

This inconsistency leads to a dangerous chain reaction: 

1. Difficulty reacting to day-to-day challenges
2. Difficulty envisioning one’s future within the organization
3. Conflict with colleagues, managers, subordinates, and customers

What starts out as an inability to deliver meaningful results could escalate to a serious disruption in team dynamics and cultural health. 

Once a team or an organization reaches the conflict stage, this chain reaction culminates in the very thing threatening the fate of many organizations today: skyrocketing employee disengagement and plummeting retention, productivity, and profits.

The High Cost of Employee Disengagement

There is no disputing that highly engaged companies outperform those with low engagement. Organizations with highly engaged employees are far more productive, more profitable, and have far higher rates of well-being (66%) than organizations with low employee engagement.

According to Gallup’s ongoing employee engagement research, companies with low employee engagement are far more likely to have negative outcomes. 

• Absenteeism is 81% higher in teams with low employee engagement versus those with high engagement.
• Safety accidents are 64% higher in teams with low employee engagement versus those with high engagement.
• Quality defects are 41% higher in teams with low employee engagement versus those with high engagement.

You may be familiar with these and similar stats. But what you may not know is that the antidote to the costly problem of employee conflict and resulting disengagement isn’t more rigorous performance management or an occasional free lunch.

It’s daily compassion. 

Employee Engagement—Feeling the Difference

Empathy is having the capacity to feel what an experience must be like for someone else. 

Compassion is acting appropriately toward someone for whom we feel empathy.

When conflicts arise, whether it’s a conflict of interest, opinions, priorities, or people, disengaged employees have more in common than they may think. Most of them feel misunderstood, misaligned, overlooked, and overwhelmed. Ignoring these experiences only escalates them—and causes people to burnout, shut down, and turn off. And this apathy leads to disengagement. This can be especially true for otherwise passionate employees who have invested deeply in the work.

To make sure that passion works for—and not against—you, the care has to go both ways.

Our Compassion Model from the Trust Edge 8 Pillars of Trust provides a framework for how to show compassion that is genuine and helpful. Compassionate leaders don’t run from conflict. They run toward it, ready to lay down the LAWS. 

• L – Listen well. Be committed to hearing and being curious about what is behind the words. If your team is struggling, why? When? Where? How? Don’t assume their answers or fill in their blanks. Give them an opportunity to share honestly and freely.
• A – Appreciate the other’s experience. It takes courage to be transparent, honest, and open about one’s feelings and experiences—especially in an environment of conflict and disengagement. Acknowledge the effort. Be specific in your feedback so others feel seen and heard.
• W – Wake up! Be present, minimize distractions, and actively adapt your communication to the needs of each conversation and individual. 
• Serve selflessly. When you see something you can do to help, don’t stand idle—find a way to help. Compassion is empathy in action. 

Rather than just addressing symptoms, compassionate leaders listen, empathize, uncover, and act, fueling teams that trust each other to do the right thing.

Leading with Compassion 

Where there are humans, there will be conflict. Conflict is a natural result of combining different perspectives, experiences, education, training, goals, and emotional needs. Conflict is not only inevitable, but it can also be one of the fastest, healthiest, and most energizing ways for teams to engage, innovate, collaborate, and grow.

But only if you care enough to do it right.

Leaders who conquer conflict with compassion create higher employee engagement and all the benefits that come with it. Our Trust Edge Certification provides tools, training, and a thriving community to foster a culture of compassion. If you’re ready to flip the script, schedule a 15-minute discovery call now and join our powerful lineup of trusted leaders in the Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.

Sooner or later, trust gets tested. When it does, what happens next?

Today we start this blog with the leading ways to damage trust in our relationships — personal, professional, commercial, or otherwise. Broken trust is difficult to talk about and even harder to recover from. It often feels easier to abandon relationships rather than invest in rebuilding them. This is #cancelculture at its finest—and its worst.

Why do we go to such lengths to avoid rebuilding trust? 

Because it requires a leap into the unknown. Because we don’t want to get hurt (again). Because it’s hard.

Our mind can talk us out of nearly anything—even a relationship that is largely beneficial!—because it is hard-wired to protect us. Unfortunately, our modern society is not what our minds have evolved toward. There is no saber-toothed tiger in the conference room or on the other end of the phone—just a relationship that needs to be repaired. 

Even if we desire to rebuild trust, most of us don’t possess  the skills to do so. Yet. 

This is exactly why you should keep reading.

When You’re Wrong, Admit it.

Achieving success as a trustworthy leader doesn’t mean you never fail or disappoint others. To learn and grow we must possess the capacity to recognize when we are wrong and admit it. A stubborn refusal to accept responsibility for mistakes puts us in disharmony with this necessary growth—and leaves us feeling frustrated. 

“This disharmony creates suffering for us and those around us,” says Dr. Mike Brooks, a psychologist specializing in helping people find greater balance in an increasingly hyperconnected world. “There is great, untapped power in the flexibility inherent within the admission: “I am wrong.’”

According to a recent study, 46% of Americans are waiting for an apology from someone in their life. Could it be you?

Once You Admit, Recommit.

We hear it everywhere and all the time: nobody is perfect. And while it may be comforting that we all make mistakes, it’s always unsettling when it happens—especially when it negatively impacts our relationships.

There is good news here. Studies have shown that humans have a natural tendency to move toward growth. Once fault has been admitted, the most powerful way to rebuild trust is by making—and keeping—a new commitment. Depending on the situation, it may mean starting small and sticking with it. Show up on time. Follow-up and follow through on a task. 

There are several factors that play into this “second chance” mentality. Connection, one of our 8 Pillars of Trust, plays an overwhelming role in creating these environments and supporting the work of repairing trust. And, by definition, it goes both ways!

Re-connection Is Just as Critical as Connection

Leaders can create environments of connection—and the trust it builds—in three ways:

• See people as humans. Not just people like you or people at work, but people who are in a constant state of growth and transformation. 
• Assume positive intent. Giving the benefit of the doubt goes a long way in building and rebuilding relationships. 
• Show you are listening. Four words that instantly increase connection in every conversation: Put. Your. Phones. Away. When you are present, you are presented with stronger bonds, greater grace, and more opportunities to see that the good in others almost always outweighs bad choices, mistakes, and disappointments. 

Building stronger connections is a compounding activity; the more interaction you have, the deeper and greater the connection. 

Creating a Culture of Resilient Trust

There is a correlation between work satisfaction and willingness to be vulnerable. The safer we feel in our environments, performance, and relationships, the more willing we are to take risks—including those necessary to build and rebuild trust.

At the end of the day, we all want to build resilient relationships that can handle the plot twists of our human stories. Growth, flexibility, connection, and harmony are born from trust work—and it generously goes both ways. If you’re looking for a great resource to help you rebuild trust, Chapter 13 of “The Trust Edge: How Top Leaders Gain Faster Results, Deeper Relationships, and a Stronger Bottom Line” has you covered.

As you move on with your day, it is highly likely you have highly regarded, beneficial relationships where you are avoiding the work of rebuilding trust. If you don’t take the first step to reconnect and rebuild, who will? 

Our Trust Edge Certification Program gives you the tools, training, and a thriving community to build satisfying cultures of connection. Are you interested? Schedule a 15-minute discovery call today to take your place in our Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.

Transformative Trust Begins with the Choices You Make Right Now

The potential for dishonesty, secrecy, lies, contempt, and rejection can live within all words spoken and all deeds done, from the daily minutiae to the defining moments. These are the things that damage or break trust. 

And in times of change the possibility of distrust and mistrust increases significantly.

Broken trust is difficult to talk about and even harder to recover from. It often feels easier to abandon relationships rather than invest in rebuilding them. This is #cancelculture, after all.

Why do we avoid it? Because the work of repairing trust requires a leap into the unknown. Our minds can talk us out of nearly anything because they are hard-wired to protect us. But the society we live in today is not the one our minds have evolved for. There is no saber-toothed tiger in the conference room or on the other end of the phone—just a relationship that needs to be repaired. 

Even if we desire to rebuild trust, we don’t often have the skills—yet. 

This is exactly why you should keep reading.

When You’re Wrong, Admit it.

Achieving success doesn’t mean you never fail or disappoint others. To learn and grow we must possess the capacity to recognize when we are wrong. Stubborn, inflexible refusal to accept when we are wrong puts us in disharmony with change and leaves us feeling frustrated.

“This disharmony creates suffering for us and those around us,” says Dr. Mike Brooks, a psychologist specialized in helping people find greater balance in an increasingly hyperconnected world. “There is great, untapped power in the flexibility inherent within the admission: “I am wrong.’”

This is where repairing trust begins.

When Others Are Wrong, Grow Together.

We hear it everywhere and all the time: nobody is perfect. Everyone occasionally does something that, on reflection, they aren’t proud of.

Studies have shown that humans have a natural tendency to move toward growth. And there’s no better way to show someone whose trust we have damaged that we’ve grown by making—and keeping—a new commitment. This is the most powerful way to mend a broken trust.

In supportive social contexts, people’s natural tendency toward growth is supported—and defensive behaviors are thwarted. This means that supportive social contexts are critical to repairing trust. Connection, one of our 8 Pillars of Trust, plays an overwhelming role in creating these environments and facilitating the work of repairing trust. 

Re-connection Is Just as Critical as Connection

Leaders can create environments of connection—and the inherent collaboration it brings—in three ways:

• See people as humans. Not just people like you or people at work, but people who are in a constant state of growth and transformation. 
• Assume Positive Intent. Giving the benefit of the doubt goes a long way in building and rebuilding relationships.
• Show you are listening. Put the phone down and really listen. In fact, take it off the table. Put it away. People can tell when you’re really present and that leads to stronger bonds, greater grace, and more opportunities to remind ourselves that the good in others almost always outweighs bad choices, mistakes, and disappointments. 

Building stronger connections is a compounding activity: the more interaction you have, the deeper and greater connection you have. And the higher likelihood you are building trust that stands the test of human behavior.

Building Cultures of Connection

There is also a correlation between your satisfaction at work and your willingness to be vulnerable. Owning up to our mistakes and nurturing connections not only improves our relationships with others, it leads to deeper satisfaction in our work and personal lives.

According to the 2023 Populace Success Index, most Americans believe that success is about a meaningful life, not getting rich. The Index’s findings also show we believe that others perceive the opposite. 

At the end of the day, we all want to build resilient relationships. Growth, flexibility, connection, and harmony are born from the work of repairing trust—and it generously goes both ways. If you’re looking for a great resource for helping you to rebuild trust, check out “The Trust Edge: How Top Leaders Gain Faster Results, Deeper Relationships, and a Stronger Bottom Line”—chapter thirteen is all about rebuilding trust.

As you move on with your day, it is highly likely you have relationships that you are avoiding the work of rebuilding trust. It could be with a friend, a partner, a team, or your customers and clients. If you don’t take the first step to reconnect and rebuild, who will?Our Trust Edge Certification Program gives you the tools, training, and a thriving community to build satisfying cultures of connection. Are you interested? Schedule a 15-minute discovery call today to take your place in our Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.

Being different isn’t always easy. In organizational settings, small differences can lead to big problems if managers are unable to recognize, accept, and address the challenges posed by differences among their workforce. The tradeoff for creating an environment that embraces and supports diversity, however, is enormous: increased innovation, performance, and resilience to name just three. 

The World Economic Forum, OECD, UNICEF, and other global agencies deeply invested in the workforce of the future have each defined numerous transferable skills that are most necessary for a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous future. 

And well-functioning diverse workforces can deliver on ALL of these skills.

The Power of Diversity Lives in What We Value

Alignment is created when we can connect on common ground. This means shining a light on shared values like work ethic and commitment to the company mission. Shifting culture doesn’t happen overnight, but it can grow quickly when a forum for candor is created by a leader who is willing to acknowledge where differences exist and how they are getting in the way. Without first addressing differences, a leader can easily become mired down in arguments and conflict.

People of all ages value feeling seen, heard, and safe. Creating an environment of trust requires helping people identify and elaborate on shared values. Highly productive working teams function well together because of what they have in common—not because of what they don’t.

Leaders who build their teams based on alignment rather than differences will foster the benefits of diversity. In so doing, their workforce can flourish and grow with them, future-proofing their organization in the process.

Diversity Fuels Higher Performance

Trust is the glue that holds diverse groups together. Knowing that your coworkers “have your back” makes you less fearful of taking risks. It also gives people the security the need to perform, create, and solve—and the correlation between this safeguard and high performance is clear.

Some of the benefits of a diverse workplace with shared values include:

• Improved critical thinking and reasoning
• Originality and innovation
• Complex problem-solving
• Increased resilience and adaptability
• Enhanced social influence

Data from our 2023 Trust Outlook, indicates that people from all over the world are embracing the benefits of a diverse workforce and want to align with others who share their values.

Featured Pillar of Trust: Competency

Staying the same doesn’t lead to growth—nor does it inspire it. Nobody wants to learn from a teacher who has been teaching the same things in the same way their entire career. Nobody wants to follow a leader who hasn’t adapted their leadership style to reflect the needs of their current team. Nobody seeks out a company with a reputation for maintaining an expired status quo.

People have confidence in those who stay fresh, relevant, and capable. This goes for entire organizations as much as individual leaders.

Trust Exercise: Make a habit of exposing yourself often to fresh information, opinions, and perspectives.

The humble, curious, and teachable person is always asking questions, learning new ways of doing things and staying current on trends and new ideas. Leaders who walk the proverbial walk can turn differences into alignment, and diversity into performance.

Invest in Trust-Building

Whether your organization has an established DEI program or is only beginning to see the value of these drivers, trust-building initiatives can help overcome the challenges posed by differences and elevate the benefits of diversity in your organization.

The Trust Edge Certification Program provides the tools, training, and—perhaps most valuable of all—the community to create high-performing cultures of trust. Interested in meeting some of our Trust Edge Certified Partners? Visit our Certified Directory.

Are you interested in the Trust Edge Certification Program? Schedule a 15-minute discovery call today to take your place in our Trust Edge Certified Partner Directory.

1. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/10/top-10-work-skills-of-tomorrow-how-long-it-takes-to-learn-them/
2. https://www.oecd.org/education/2030-project/teaching-and-learning/learning/skills/Skills_for_2030_concept_note.pdf
3. https://www.unicef.org/lac/media/31591/file/The%2012%20Transferable%20Skills.pdf