The case for trust as the foundation for restoring growth

Purpose – This paper aims to advance the view that trust has emerged as fundamental to business survival in the current turbulent times. It also aims to examine why trust breaks down and what can be done to rectify this. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reveals the results of research, commissioned by the author's company, among organizations employing more than 500 people in the UK. More than 5,114 employees participated and the results were released at a conference in January 2009 by keynote speaker and global authority on trust, Stephen M.R. Covey. Findings – The study indicates that almost half of UK employees do not trust their chief executive, and a similar proportion does not trust other senior management either. It examines the reasons behind this decline in trust and suggests strategies to help to reverse this trend. The paper catalogues the 13 behaviors of highly‐trusted leaders. Originality/value – The paper examines key areas in organizations that can cause a breakdown in trust as well as how to foster a trust culture and/or rebuild trust where it has been diminished.