Robyn Knox, CEO of The HR Business Connect, delivered a session on building trust in organizations and communities, covering why trust matters, the current state of trust across demographics, and actionable frameworks for leaders. Key tools shared include the TRUST acronym, generational trust profiles, psychological safety principles, and the Five Behaviors assessment (free access offered to attendees). The session concluded with a resource update from Spartanburg Shares on durable medical equipment lending. Please contact Evan Carr at info@spartanburgshares.org if you are interested in volunteering or require additional information.
- View a recording of the TATT Chat here.
- Download the Presentation
- Complete a feedback survey on the presentation to receive a Five Behaviors assessment link (a $150 value!).
The U.S. Trust Index (2026 Edelman) is at 47% — significantly below the global average of 57%; distrust is concentrated in media, government, business, and NGOs.
Trust in familiar/local institutions (employers, neighbors, coworkers) is increasing even as national trust declines.
There is a 29-percentage-point trust gap between low- and high-income individuals — the largest ever recorded by Edelman, and generationally younger generations are less trusting than older generations.
Why does trust matter?
T.R.U.S.T:
- Transparency — admit mistakes, explain the “why”
- Reliability — follow through consistently
- Understanding — listen to, learn, withhold judgment
- Safety — model vulnerability, treat failures as learning
- Time — invest in real connection; trust builds in small moments
In the Google Project Aristotle Psychology Safety Study across 180 teams, psychological safety was the #1 factor in high-performing teams — above skill, education, or talent. Psychology safety leads to higher collaboration, reduced turnover, and stronger accountability.
Be a Trust Builder instead of a Trust Buster! Builders practice active listening, following through, transparency, admitting mistakes, recognizing contributions, keeping confidences, and being fully present. Busters interrupt, break promises, withhold information, blame others, take undue credit, lack focus, gossip, and show favoritism.