“ Trust becomes your professional currency, making every aspect of your role more effective.”
“ Trust becomes your professional currency, making every aspect of your role more effective.”
Build trust that lasts
Strengthening trust across your organisation matters more than ever, according to Isiah McKimmie
Trust isn’ t just a nice-to-have in today’ s workplace – it’ s a business imperative. Research shows that high-trust companies report 106 % more energy at work, 50 % higher productivity and 40 % less burnout compared to low-trust environments. Yet recent studies reveal that business executives significantly overestimate how trusted they are by customers, employees and investors.
As an EA working across all levels of the organisation, from board members to junior staff, you can bridge this gap. Because you see how trust operates( or fails to operate) in daily interactions. And, most importantly, you have the influence to model and foster the kind of trust that transforms workplace culture.
Why trust matters to your role Trust isn’ t abstract when you’ re coordinating between competing priorities, managing sensitive information and supporting executives under pressure. When stakeholders trust you, they share information more freely, respond to requests more quickly and give you the benefit of the doubt when things go wrong.
The neuroscience behind this is fascinating. Trust triggers the release of oxytocin, which makes people more likely to collaborate and behave in trustworthy ways themselves. This creates a positive cycle. When you demonstrate trustworthiness, others become more trustworthy in return.
For EAs, this translates into smoother
48 Executive PA | Spring Issue 2025