Our guest today is Roger Mayer, Professor of Management, Innovation & Entrepreneurship at North Carolina State University. He discusses his foundational 1995 article on trust, emphasizing its role in risk-taking within professional settings and reflects on the evolution of his model, which defines trust as the willingness to make oneself vulnerable to another entity (be it a person, group, or technology) without having the ability to directly control or monitor their actions, distinguishing it from trustworthiness.

Roger Mayer responds to criticisms by underscoring the intentional simplicity and broad relevance of his trust model, which was designed with minimal variables for wide applicability, including unexpected fields like AI and robotics. He acknowledges the trade-offs of this approach but values the model's capacity to spark debate and advance scientific discourse

He also previews his upcoming book, "A Research Agenda for Trust: Interdisciplinary Perspectives," aiming to facilitate interdisciplinary research in trust. Additionally, he explores trust in autonomous technology, distinguishing between trust in the technology itself and its creators. He revisits his 1995 trust model in the context of government trust, introducing a new measure assessing vulnerability.

Mayer explores the often-overlooked dimension of police officers' trust in the public, underscoring the importance of bidirectional trust. He unveils that officers are inclined to engage more openly and take proactive measures when they sense a higher degree of trust from the public. This viewpoint pivots the conventional emphasis from how much the public trusts the police to a more reciprocal understanding of trust, where the perceptions of law enforcement about public trust play a crucial role.

He also addresses the challenges faced by university research, critiquing the excessive focus on production over impactful, meaningful research. He advocates for a balance between theoretical exploration and practical application, urging researchers to ensure their work contributes tangibly to society. This approach, he suggests, is essential for bridging the gap between academic research and real-world societal benefits, particularly in the field of trust.

Kees van den Bos, author of the book "The Fair Process Effect," explains his extensive research on societal conflicts and the pivotal role of trust. Through his book, he underscores the critical importance of fair treatment by authorities in nurturing trust and cooperation within society. He introduces the "Perceived Procedural Justice Scale," designed to quantitatively assess fairness, highlighting how fairness is integral to fostering a sense of belonging and respectful treatment among community members.

Van den Bos's research goes further to explore the detrimental effects that perceived unfairness can have, such as fostering distrust and societal polarization. He provides a comprehensive perspective on these issues, emphasizing the need for early intervention in societal conflicts. By advising authorities and citizens to remain vigilant to societal dynamics, recognize and validate the concerns of various community members, and ensure these concerns are met with understanding and appreciation, he offers a pathway towards mitigating these negative impacts.

Moreover, Van den Bos stresses the importance of adopting normative standpoints that reinforce democratic values, including peaceful and respectful treatment of one another and the maintenance of the rule of law. He acknowledges the imperfections in societal institutions, such as the legal system, but advocates for continuous efforts to enhance their functioning. This balanced approach is crucial for maintaining the fabric of a democratic society, even if it means accepting some losses as the cost of upholding fundamental values. Through this lens, Van den Bos provides a logical and informative framework for addressing and preventing the issues of distrust, polarization, and conspiracy thinking that can arise from perceived unfairness.

In this episode, we explore the complex relationship between trust, control, and HR practices with our guest, Antoinette Weibel, Professor of Human Resources Management at the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland). She talks about how control mechanisms, from coordination to surveillance, impact trust in the workplace. The conversation highlights the difference between enabling and coercive controls, how bureaucracy can sometimes nurture trust, and the critical role of HR in nurturing trustful relationships. We also delve into the nuances between distrust and low trust, the ethical implications of technology use, and the importance of research and consultancy in building authentic trust.

Our guest today is Anu Bradford, the Henry L. Moses Professor of Law and International Organization at Columbia Law School and the author of the book 'Digital Empires: The Global Battle to Regulate Technology'. In this conversation, Bradford explores the complex digital future where technology regulation, innovation, and trust intersect. She discusses the distinct regulatory paths of the US, China, and the EU, predicting a world split between techno democracies and autocracies. Delving into the geopolitical intricacies, Bradford sheds light on the challenges faced by companies like Nvidia and ASML amidst global tech tensions. Her profound insights into the power dynamics between tech giants, and states, and the need for assertive regulation offer a nuanced perspective on building a balanced, trust-centered digital society.

Our guest, Bob Hurley, Professor Leading People and Organizations at the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University (New York), talks about his theory of organizational capacity for trustworthiness, highlighting Unilever's approach to genetically modified foods, Bob Moore's employee ownership plan at Bob's Red Mill and how external pressures shape organizational adaptations, using examples like the global financial crisis and Mattel's product safety issues. He reviews BAE Systems' response to a bribery scandal and Salesforce's stakeholder engagement, emphasizing the importance of robust governance and competence in building trust. His comprehensive analysis offers insights into business ethics, leadership, the importance of governance and organizational behavior, focusing on the core aspects of trust in today's business environment. Hurley stresses the balance between short-term responses and long-term trust-building strategies, emphasizing the role of competent leadership in fostering a trustworthy organizational environment. This comprehensive discussion offers valuable insights into the evolution and management of trust in complex corporate settings.

In episode 83, enjoy a heartwarming conversation with Santa Claus. Santa discusses maintaining trust with children and adults, shares touching stories where trust made Christmas wishes come true, and reflects on his role as a symbol of joy and generosity. The interview also delves into how Santa ensures inclusivity for all children, manages the secrets and wishes shared with him, and the importance of trust within his team at the North Pole. Santa leaves listeners with a powerful message about trust and the spirit of Christmas.

Jeanine Turner, our guest in episode 82 of TrustTalk, delves into the complex interplay of trust and communication. She examines the influence of storytelling and media in shaping public trust, particularly in contexts of global conflict, while addressing the prevalent issues of fake news and media scepticism. In her enlightening discussion, Turner spotlights significant takeaways from her book "Being Present," highlighting the criticality of maintaining a mindful social presence amid the distractions of the digital world. Further, she imparts insightful guidance on nurturing personal relationships and trust in a digital landscape. Jeanine also ventures into the future of communication technologies, notably the integration of AI, underscoring the growing importance of empathy in our increasingly digital interactions.

Our guest is Dan Abrahams, a renowned sports psychologist, who delves into the mental aspects of sports. Dan emphasizes the foundational role of trust in both individual performance and team dynamics, explaining how it's as crucial in team sports like football and basketball as in individual sports such as tennis and golf. The discussion includes Dan's unique approach to mental skills training, tailored for athletes at all levels, and his innovative 'Game Face' concept, which assists athletes in achieving their optimal mental state for peak performance. Dan also touches upon the function of sports psychologists in premier football teams, with a particular focus on Ajax and Manchester United, detailing the importance of psychological strategies and trust cultivation in enhancing team performance. Additionally, the episode covers how breaches in trust can impact an athlete's performance and overall well-being, and the role of sports psychologists in rebuilding trust following major scandals. This episode is a must-listen not only for sports enthusiasts but for anyone interested in the psychological elements that drive success and effective teamwork.

Our guest today is Sim Sitkin, a Professor at Duke University, Durham (N.C.) He explores the intricate dynamics between trust and distrust, highlighting their distinct natures and the challenges involved in navigating these complex emotional states. He uncovers the nuances of how trust can vary incrementally across different domains, and contrasts this with the pervasive and often unyielding nature of distrust.

He provides perspective on the vital role of values in shaping trust relationships. Through Sitkin's study involving a Dutch court, we learn how value incongruence between groups can lead to a breakdown in communication and trust, explaining the processes of rebuilding trust, and focusing on shared values and perspectives.

Sitkin also touches on the role well-crafted control systems play in cultivating trust, drawing parallels from Ideo's approach, which harmonizes such systems with company ethos to reinforce trust. Furthermore, he provides insight into his forthcoming research, which seeks to consolidate the fields of trust and distrust into a unified theory.

He emphasizes that competence alone is insufficient for trust to flourish, leaders must demonstrate benevolence and an understanding of their team's perspectives and values. He discusses the "tipping point" of trust, a critical juncture where accumulated missteps can erode trust beyond a simple fix, stressing the importance of early recognition and intervention to prevent distrust from becoming entrenched.

Additionally, he touches on the impacts of immediate actions versus systemic changes on trust, the critical role of understanding in building trust, and the importance of relational leadership behaviors.

Finally, we wrap up our conversation with a look towards the future. Sim Sitkin, alongside colleagues, is pioneering a general field theory to integrate research on distrust, trust, and generalized trust, aiming to illuminate the future landscape of trust in our rapidly evolving world.

Our guest today, Stephen M.R. Covey, emphasizes the profound importance of trust in leadership. He believes that trust, once broken, can only be rebuilt through consistent and genuine behavior rather than mere words. Covey passionately advocates for a leadership style of "trust and inspire" as opposed to the traditional "command and control." In this approach, leaders need to embody attributes like integrity, credibility, and transparency. They should be the first to demonstrate the values they wish to instill in their teams.

Furthermore, Covey makes a distinction between leadership and management. While management often pertains to processes and objects, leadership is about guiding and inspiring people. He posits that individuals do not want to be merely managed; they wish to be led, trusted, and inspired. To this end, Covey introduces the idea that leadership is akin to stewardship, highlighting responsibility over rights. This perspective calls on leaders, especially those at the CEO level, to view their roles as stewards who model behavior, extend trust, and inspire those they lead. Concluding his insights, Covey commends the TrustTalk podcast for amplifying the essential conversation around trust, underscoring its pivotal role in today's world.