Rebuilding Trust in the Workplace: What Leaders Need to Know

A perfect storm is brewing in corporate America, and it's all about trust – or rather, the lack of it. Weber Shandwick's latest research reveals that only 17% of senior executives have confidence in their communications functions. But here's what's fascinating: This crisis of confidence runs parallel to a deeper trust deficit between leadership and employees.

A rebuilding of trust in the workplace effort must start with real dialogue—not top-down broadcasts that miss the mark.

The Trust Disconnect

A recent PwC survey exposed a stark reality check: while 86% of executives believed they had their employees' trust, only 67% of employees agreed. This perception gap isn't just a number – it's a warning sign.

LinkedIn and Microsoft's new research amplifies this warning: 85% of U.S. professionals are eyeing the exit, with more people wanting to quit now than during the Great Resignation. When companies like Amazon and JPMorgan Chase enforce return-to-office mandates without meaningful dialogue, they're not just making policy decisions – they're breaking trust.

The Hidden Connection

I've been saying this for months: You can't build trust through one-way broadcasts. Yet that's exactly what happens when:

• Communications teams are cut off from strategic decisions until it's "announcement time"

• Experience is sacrificed for short-term cost savings

• Employee concerns are treated as "resistance to change" rather than valuable feedback

Breaking the Cycle

Rebuilding trust requires three crucial steps:

1. Invest in Dedicated Internal Communications 

   • Create a standalone internal communications function – not a dual duty with external communications or HR

   • Position them alongside strategy and transformation teams

   • Give them direct access to leadership decision-making

2. Enable Real Employee Dialogue 

   • Create channels for genuine employee feedback before decisions are made

   • Equip managers to have authentic conversations

   • Demonstrate how employee input shapes outcomes

3. Build Sustainable Trust 

   • Share decision-making context early

   • Acknowledge challenges openly

   • Act on employee feedback visibly

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

With 68% of employees globally struggling with work pace and volume (Microsoft Work Trend Index), and 59% of job-seekers feeling stuck (LinkedIn), the cost of inaction is rising.

The question isn't whether you can afford to invest in rebuilding trust – it's whether you can afford not to. Because right now, your employees are asking the same question about their trust in you.

Interested in learning more about building strategic internal communications that drive business results? Follow me for weekly insights, or visit StarThrowerCommunication.com for weekly perspectives on transforming organizational communication.

Author's note: Insights drawn from Weber Shandwick research (Provoke Media, Axios), LinkedIn/Microsoft's 2024 workplace study (Fortune), PwC's trust survey, and Wall Street Journal reporting on RTO impacts.