#WISHRM24 Speaker Spotlight: David Horsager, Trust Edge Leadership Institute

Today’s workplace is undergoing tremendous transformation. It’s more important now than ever for leaders to guide their organizations through times of change. Leaders must understand that successful evolution of the workplace hinges on building and maintaining trust. Trust is not simply a desirable trait. It is a necessity. It acts as the glue that binds teams together, fosters collaboration, inspires new ideas, and fuels organizational success.
 
Attendees of the Wisconsin SHRM 2024 State Conference will gain exclusive insights from David Horsager, founder and CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute, about how top leaders and organizations drive business results through trust during Friday morning’s breakfast keynote. He then will dive deeper into why Trust is Your Greatest Competitive Advantage at his session that follows. I had the opportunity to connect with David to learn more about him, Trust Edge Leadership Institute, and what attendees can expect at this sessions:
 
Tell us more about Trust Edge Leadership Institute. What services do you provide, and who is your target audience?
The Trust Edge Leadership Institute is a Minnesota-based company that helps global leaders and organizations build trust. For 25 years, we have been pioneering trust development through research, speaking, consulting, and training on trust and its proven impact on the bottom line. Their clients range from Fortune 100 companies to national sports franchises to industry-leading small and mid-size businesses. I’m the founder and CEO, a business strategist, author, and soon-to-be your keynote speaker.
 
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you start your career, and when/how did you shift your focus to trust in leadership?
The youngest of six siblings, I learned many of my life lessons growing up on a farm in northern Minnesota. A belief in the goodness of humanity and endless possibilities has propelled me throughout my career. My wife, Lisa, and I started the Trust Edge Leadership Institute in 1999 following my graduate work which focused on TRUST.

Why is trust so important in leadership and high performing teams?
No matter who you are or what your industry, a lack of trust is your biggest expense! Building and maintaining trust within your team is the foundation for engagement, innovation, and alignment throughout the organization. A team without trust can experience burnout, communication breakdowns, and an inability to execute.  

What, in your opinion, is the most essential element for building trust?
There are 8 Pillars of Trust, which are all important, but some are more important based on the type or situation. For example, I want my doctor or my pilot to have a very high degree of the pillar called Competency. It is more important for my babysitter to have a high degree of the pillars called Compassion and Character. All 8 Pillars are critical for building, growing, and even rebuilding trust. 

Can you share a personal experience where trust played a critical role in your leadership journey?
Every day, in every interaction, trust either increases or it decreases. Every time I give a speech, the audience is silently asking, Can I trust you? Are you are going to waste my time? For salespeople, potential buyers are asking, Can I trust you will deliver on or exceed my expectations? For our human resources teams, employees are asking, Can I trust that you know how to build a good work culture? I get a front row seat to the impact of trust building every day, and it is remarkable. We have seen companies increase engagements scores, the military lower suicide rates, and salespeople dramatically increase their sales!
 
What are some common mistakes that leaders make that can erode trust?
A common mistake I see is leaders thinking they are clear when, in fact, they are not clear enough. Also, inconsistency, favoritism, and no accountability or unhealthy accountability.
 
You are the breakfast keynote on Friday, October 11th, and have a follow-up session at 10am. What can attendees expect  - both at your keynote, and at your session Trust Edge 2.0?
I’m very excited to be joining you for this keynote presentation as well as the follow-up session! “The Trust Edge™: How Top Leaders and Organizations Drive Business Results Through Trust” is all about how the lack of trust is a fundamental, bottom-line issue. Without it, leaders lose teams, salespeople lose sales, and organizations lose reputation, retention of good people, relationships, and revenue. But with trust, individuals and organizations enjoy greater creativity, productivity, freedom, and results. Through the institute’s industry-leading research, The Trust Outlook™, and firsthand experience working with high-performing organizations, I will talk about what it takes to be among the most trusted people in your team, company, and industry.
 
KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Simple and actionable strategies to build, maintain, and repair trust. 

• Shift your understanding of trust and its role in every business and personal relationship—and see why a lack of trust is your biggest expense. 

• Gain Clarity with the powerful How? How? How? method. 

 
In the follow-up session, “Trust Edge 2.0: Your Greatest Competitive Advantage,” 
we’ll see why trust is the cornerstone of successful leadership, the fuel for high-octane teams, and the key to lasting customer loyalty. In this session, I will dive deeper into the 8 Pillars of Trust and help you create your own Trust Shield. This is a favorite exercise for many leaders, executives, pro-sports teams, C-suite executives, and even government officials. Socrates said, "Know thyself." If you don't know yourself, it's hard to lead yourself. In this exercise there are two big wins. Number one, participants will get clearer about who they are as a person and leader. Two, you'll see the power of the connection pillar when you appropriately share parts of your shield with others.
 

---

Be sure you add the keynote and session to your conference schedule!
 
Keynote: "The Trust Edge ®: How Top Leaders and Organizations Drive Business Results through Trust"
Friday, October 11, 2024
8:15– 9:45 am
 
Session: Trust Edge 2.0: Your Greatest Competitive Advantage
Friday, October 11, 2024
10:00-11:15am
 
David Horsager is the inventor of the Enterprise Trust Index™, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of four books, including his latest, Trust Matters More than Ever: 40 Trust Tools to Lead Better, Grow Faster & Build Trust Now!, director of the global research publication, Trust Outlook®, and a senior fellow at Indiana Wesleyan University. He is well known for his work with a wide variety of industries, ranging from Delta Airlines, McDonald’s, FedEx, and Toyota to the New York Yankees, Walmart, MIT, and global governments.
 
​#WISHRM24 #SMILE24 #HR #Trust #Leadership #HRCommunity #HRShenanigans