Trust the Real Secret to Success

I've been thinking about what truly makes the difference between success and failure. And it always comes back to one thing: trust. If you and I have worked together, or you're my friend, you already know this matters deeply to me. Because deep connections are based on trust, and trust is the secret sauce to everything we do.

I’ve seen this play out firsthand throughout my life and career—and so have you. Talented people fail without trust, while ordinary teams achieve extraordinary results because trust is their foundation. Trust is what allows partnerships to navigate challenges, teams to innovate fearlessly, and companies to grow authentically.

It's not just a nice-to-have—it's essential. Let me share why trust matters so much—and how you can cultivate more of it in your professional life.

The Real Impact of Trust

Trust isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s a game-changer. Harvard Business Review found some eye-opening stats about what happens when people work in high-trust organizations:

• 50% higher productivity: teams get more done—and do it better

• 74% less stress: Imagine the difference that makes day-to-day

• 76% more engagement: employees don’t just show up—they truly care

.• 40% less burnout: because let’s face it, you can’t pour from an empty cup

These aren’t small improvements—they’re the kind of changes that completely reshape how people show up and perform at work. And when trust is missing? The effects are just as big—just not in a good way. Without trust, creativity diminishes, collaboration feels impossible, and stress goes through the roof.

Gallup research even found that 45% of employees—yes, almost half—say the biggest obstacle they face at work is a lack of trust in leadership. Think about that for a second: almost half the workforce is stuck because of something we can fix.

What’s Actually Happening in Our Brains When We Trust

This part is fascinating. Neuroscientist Paul J. Zak found that when we trust others, our bodies release oxytocin—the same hormone that helps mothers bond with their newborns. Interesting, right? This little chemical works wonders: it lowers stress, boosts empathy, and makes us happier. So, when you trust, your brain literally becomes healthier and more creative.

If this idea sparks your curiosity, I highly recommend checking out The Moral Molecule (2012) by Paul J. Zak. It dives deep into oxytocin’s role in empathy, morality, and how we connect as humans. It’s a fascinating read that really opens your eyes to the science of trust and connection.

I always think about what my favorite Eckhart Tolle says: “Authentic trust is knowing that whatever happens, you will be fine.” In our lives, this shows up as innovation and resilience. When we truly trust the people around us, we’re bolder with our ideas because we know it’s okay to stumble. We’re safe, and that safety makes all the difference.

Real Stories That Show Trust in Action

There’s something magical about storytelling. It’s one thing to talk about the importance of trust, but it’s another to see it in action. Stories have this incredible power to connect us, inspire us, and make abstract ideas feel real.

When we hear how trust has transformed real organizations and communities, it’s no longer just a concept—it’s a tangible force with real-world impact. Below are two great examples:

Patagonia’s Transparency In Action

Patagonia took a bold leap when they launched their "Footprint Chronicles," a platform that exposed their entire supply chain—flaws and all—to their customers. This wasn’t just a PR move; it was radical transparency in action. By openly sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly, Patagonia built a deep sense of trust with their community. And it paid off: while many retailers struggled, Patagonia’s revenue quadrupled over ten years.

Why did this work? Trust. Research from the Edelman Trust Barometer shows that 81% of consumers say they need to trust a brand before buying from them. Patagonia understood this long before “corporate transparency” became a buzzword. They didn’t just sell products—they built relationships. And those relationships turned into loyalty that most brands can only dream of.

Mayo Clinic’s Culture of Collaboration

The Mayo Clinic is frequently ranked as one of the best hospitals in the world, and their secret is simple but transformational: trust. At Mayo, no single doctor “owns” a patient. Instead, they’ve built a trust-based model where specialists work together, freely sharing their expertise without the red tape of bureaucracy or ego.

This collaborative approach isn’t just about being nice—it’s about saving lives. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that this trust-driven system reduced medical errors by 40% compared to traditional hospital models. Think about that: trust doesn’t just create better teamwork; it literally leads to better outcomes for patients.

The Dark Side: When Trust Is Missing

You know what’s so interesting? Even the most talented people can’t thrive when trust doesn’t exist. And guess what? Research actually backs this up.

There’s this fascinating study from Harvard that stuck with me. They found that when companies bring together groups of “A players” or superstars but don’t invest in building trust, these so-called dream teams actually underperform compared to groups with more modest talent but stronger trust. Why? Because instead of working together, the superstars ended up competing with each other.

I’ve seen this happen many times and I am sure you have too. You get these brilliant individuals with incredible résumés, but without trust, it all falls apart. The egos, the competition, the lack of connection—it stops them from actually achieving anything meaningful. Meanwhile, people who might not look like rockstars on paper quietly excel because they trust each other and create a safe environment for ideas to grow. When trust is missing, here’s what happens:

• Important things never get said

• People stop showing up mentally

• Stress skyrockets

• And honestly? It’s just miserable

  
  

The truth is, even the smartest, most capable individuals can’t reach their potential when trust is missing. Communication breaks down, collaboration feels impossible, and innovation? It doesn’t even stand a chance.

Building Trust That Actually Lasts

Here’s what I’ve learned about creating real trust—the kind that doesn’t fall apart the moment things get tough:

Keep It Real, Always

There’s no substitute for being your authentic self. None. When you’re honest about your strengths and your struggles, people connect with you in a completely different way. The Center for Creative Leadership found that leaders who show the right kind of vulnerability are rated 22% more effective. Twenty-two percent!

Don’t waste your energy trying to be perfect—just be real. I always say, someone’s “perfect” is another person’s imperfect. There’s no such thing as perfect. It doesn’t exist. The sooner you let that go, the sooner people will trust you for who you actually are—not who you’re pretending to be. I’ve seen it happen where someone pretends they have all the answers, and people immediately stop trusting them. But the moment they admit they don’t know everything? That’s when things shift, and trust starts to grow.

Be the Person People Can Count On

This one is so simple, but it’s everything: do what you say you’re going to do. Every promise you keep is like another brick in the foundation of trust. Every broken promise? It knocks down five bricks.

A study from the University of California found that reliability matters more than sheer talent. People would rather work with someone who consistently delivers on smaller commitments than a brilliant hotshot who only shows up when they feel like it. Makes sense, right? Trust isn’t built in grand gestures—it’s built in the little moments, over and over again.

Listen Like You Actually Care

We all know the difference between someone who’s really listening and someone who’s just waiting for their turn to talk. Real listening—the kind where you’re fully present and actually curious about the other person—builds trust faster than almost anything else. Zenger Folkman found that the best listeners (the top 10%) were also rated in the top 5% for trust. That’s not a coincidence. Listening isn’t just polite; it’s how you show people they matter.

Make It Safe to Be Human

Create a space where it’s okay to take risks, ask “dumb” questions, or even mess up. Google did this huge research project and found that psychological safety was the #1 predictor of team success—more important than talent, experience, or anything else. When people feel safe being themselves, that’s when the magic happens. Full stop.

What You Can Do Right Now

Make Trust Your Priority

Trust isn’t just about relationships—it directly impacts everything you do. Productivity, engagement, innovation—these aren’t just buzzwords. They all improve when trust becomes the foundation.

Start With Your Own Actions

Whether you’re a leader by title or just someone others look to (and let’s be honest, we all lead in some way), you set the tone. Your actions shape the culture far more than any policy ever could. Begin with openness, honesty, and genuine connection—it’s where trust starts.

Create Spaces Where People Feel Safe

Want people to open up, share ideas, and take risks? Show them it’s okay by being vulnerable yourself. When others see you being real, it encourages them to do the same. And trust me, that’s when the magic starts happening.

Practice "Trust Deposits"

Think of trust like a bank account. Every time you keep a promise, show empathy, or give recognition, you’re making a deposit. And just like a real account, withdrawals (like breaking promises or ignoring someone’s concerns) can drain it fast. Research from the Trust Edge Leadership Institute found that the most trusted leaders make at least 5 “trust deposits” for every “withdrawal.” It’s the little, consistent actions that build trust over time.

Ending with with the iconic image capturing five brilliant leaders and amazing humans who were my chairpersons and mentors. They are true examples of trust, wisdom, and

leadership—qualities that inspire and leave a lasting and profound impact.

From left to right - Magnus Brannstrom, Alessandro Carlucci, Andrea Jung, Doug DeVos, Truman Hunt

Interested in building trust within your team or organization? At Kaleidra Global Advisors, we focus on practical strategies that create real impact. Let’s connect.