In this episode of What’s the DEIL?, Shanté and Natalie tackle one of the most underestimated elements of leadership—trust.
Through real-world data from senior leader assessments, they reveal an uncomfortable truth: even leaders often lack confidence in their ability to deliver on DEI commitments. And when words and actions don’t align, the ripple effect erodes morale, engagement, and long-term credibility.
They unpack why “open door policies” rarely work without consistent relationship-building, why the gap between leadership perception and employee experience matters, and how trust is built through repeated, intentional actions, not one-time gestures.
You’ll learn:
• The four elements of trust and how leaders can act on them daily
• Why “safe spaces” aren’t the same as “trusted spaces” and how to create the latter
• How to spot everyday behaviors that unintentionally undermine trust
• Practical ways to weave trust-building into your schedule and performance goals
Whether you lead a small team or an entire organization, this episode is a reminder: trust isn’t just a value—it’s a practice. And without it, even the best strategies fall flat.
Follow & Connect with us:
Follow Natalie Norfus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalienorfus/.
Follow Shante Gordon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantegordon/.
We’ve led hundreds of audits, assessments, and people strategy engagements, and we’d love to help your organization. Book a consultation with The Norfus Firm: https://thenorfusfirm.com/.
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