Ken Banta, our founder, recently talked with strategic consultant Jeffrey Nemetz about where public trust in a company comes from.

It’s not a kind of trust that's granted, Ken argued; it has to be earned, “through your deeds versus your words.”

Jeffrey, the founder of the global consultancy Transform Partners, agreed, and said that those deeds have to start with being clear about your purpose in everything you do. In the last few years, he said, "you're seeing more and more companies . . . really showing up and demonstrating what their purpose is, and not talking about “trust” but being trustworthy."

Given this trend, and the trust-eroding anxiety of the current moment, getting purpose right is not optional:

It's important that CEOs and boards take a moment to really re-examine: What is it that they bring to the marketplace? . . . What are they missing in order to be even more valuable to the marketplace? … Ask that CEO, “what is your brand purpose and how are you showing up today and making a difference in the world where you[‘ll be] perceived as one of the top, if you will, 100 trustworthy companies?”

To hear more of Ken and Jeffrey’s talk about trust, check out this short digest video.

Members, sign in above for more great leadership content. 

 Not a member yet? Click here for more information.