The Art and Science of Trust Building

Designing Tomorrow: Creative Strategies for Social Impact

Trust is not a given — it’s earned.

In this episode, Eric and Jonathan explore how trust is shifting away from institutions and toward relationships, and why that’s reshaping the way nonprofits and social impact organizations must operate.

You’ll gain insights on:

• The hidden power of impact storytelling and why nonprofits often overlook it.
• The five pillars of trust backed by science—and how to apply them.
• Why relationships are overtaking institutions as trust-builders.
• The surprising tension between vulnerability and expertise for leaders.
• Practical strategies to foster trust internally with your team and externally with your supporters.

This episode will challenge your assumptions about trust and help you build stronger, more authentic connections — whether you're a nonprofit leader, social enterprise founder, or someone passionate about creating lasting impact.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00] Introduction

• Eric and Jonathan introduce the theme: Why trust isn’t a safe assumption anymore.

[01:33] Declining Trust in Institutions

• A startling stat: Only 22% of Americans trust the federal government (2024).
• Nonprofits are more trusted than many institutions—but trust is still declining.

[02:38] The Art of Trust Building

• How “first impressions” of your brand—like your website or emails—shape trust.
• Subconscious cues that determine whether someone engages or walks away.

[05:08] Micro vs. Macro Trust

• Smaller organizations thrive on personal relationships, but big brands often have institutional trust built over time.
• Why your brand must back up individual relationships with authentic messaging.

[08:10] Where Is Trust Going?

• Trust is shifting from organizations to relationships.
• Why larger digital-first organizations may face unique challenges in this new trust dynamic.

[12:01] Impact Storytelling: The Trust Superpower

• Why nonprofits underinvest in storytelling—and why it’s their most powerful trust-building tool.
• Balancing emotional stories with transparent statistics and outcomes.

[13:50] The Science of Trust

• The 5 pillars of trust: reliability, transparency, competence, vulnerability, and empathy.
• Why setting expectations is key to being perceived as reliable and trustworthy.

[24:56] Internal Trust with Teams

• Building trust within your staff through recognition, autonomy, and support.
• How to find the right balance between freedom and structure for different employees.

[33:57] Leadership Vulnerability

• When—and how—to show vulnerability as a leader without undermining trust.
• The importance of intentionality and transparency when connecting with your team.

[37:48] Final Thoughts

• Trust is an ongoing process, not a finish line. It’s an art and a science—and it deserves your full attention.

Listeners, now you can text us your comments or questions by clicking this link.

*** If you liked this episode, please help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on Apple Podcasts. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at [e-mail]

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Розділи

1. Building Trust for Social Impact Organizations (00:00:00)

2. Building Trust Through Authenticity and Reliability (00:06:01)

3. Building Trust Through Transparency and Recognition (00:15:48)

4. Balancing Leadership With Vulnerability (00:24:56)

5. Navigating Vulnerability in Leadership (00:34:20)