Truth Decay
1/5 workers trust a stranger more than a Boss according to the global think tank, Hack Future Lab
Trust in the workplace suffering ‘truth decay’. If you can’t trust who’s in charge who can you trust?
Trust is the basis for connection and it’s the foundation of every action, relationship and transaction. Physical. Emotional. Digital. Financial. Ethical. A nice-to-have is now a must have; a principle is now a catalyst; a value is now invaluable. Yet, around the world, we see truth decay and records levels of distrust across the business, government and the media. At no time has trust been more tested or more valued by our customers and each other.
Despite trust in the workplace being a key driver of wellbeing, motivation and performance only 44% of workers feel they are ‘often’ or ‘always’ trusted by their managers. The data should set alarm bells ringing, especially when trust has never been more important for mental wellbeing and feeling safe to speak up, during the Covid-19 pandemic, says Hack Future Lab founder, Terence Mauri.
Findings
93% leaders agree trust is a top priority but only 34% believe it is a strength in their workplace
2/5 workers would trust a stranger more than a Boss
87% workers agree trust between them and their Boss is the second biggest driver of life satisfaction after personal relationships
39% women experienced high levels of trust at work compared to 46% men
77% of workers have experienced a major ‘trust’ breach: the 3 biggest examples of trust breaches were lack of feedback, lack of autonomy and lack of transparency
86% workers want more truth, trust and transparency at work and 67% agree today’s business models are ‘broken’
89% workers have withheld an opinion, question or concern because of fear and a lack of workplace trust
56% of men and 43% of women still believe ‘eyeball management’ is the best way of managing others
86% of bosses agree they don’t understand the mechanics of how trust is built, managed, lost and repaired
93% workers agree without trust it’s impossible to speak up about issues
Summary
It’s time to rethink the importance of trust. Covid-19 has accelerated the urgency for workers to feel trusted, especially when they are working remotely and under pressure. The Truth Decay Study findings has highted massive gaps between knowing and doing. Bosses must rise to the truth decay challenge to ensure today’s workers and future generations feel trusted. Trust needs to be shown through action. As we recover, reopen and rebuild, leaders will need to measure, amplify and protect trust across the whole ecosystem and ultimately lead with trust to reduce uncertainty and anxiety about a post-pandemic future.