Building Trust from the Inside Out: Employees and Their Power of Influence

Abstract

The “internal public” has never been so external. Previously, what was discussed only within a company’s four walls is now heard everywhere. The employee has been transformed into a communicator with great power of reach and is considered one of the most trustworthy spokespersons when talking about the company. For the organization, the trust of its employees and other publics is its most valuable asset. It is what regulates any relationship and what demonstrates the company’s ability to generate future value. The basis for building trust is not just the operating result or profits that the company delivers to shareholders, but rather the way it behaves regarding integrity, ethics, and transparency—and company’s employees are the main spokespeople to talk about specific topics such as engagement and integrity. They are the main agents of a brand’s culture. Therefore, the need to build trust from the inside out is more obvious than ever, with communication to and by employees serving as one of the main bases of business.