Ep #152: Why Trust Is the Most Important KPI | Insight from Kim Bohr

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, host Toby Kennedy sits down with Kim Bohr, CEO of Spark Effect, to break down the latest research on organizational trust—and why it may be one of the most important (and overlooked) drivers of performance.

This conversation moves beyond theory and into practical frameworks leaders can use right now.

Key Insights on Organizational Trust

Trust as a KPI:

Trust isn’t soft—it’s measurable and directly tied to revenue, retention, and reputation.

Thriving in Disruption:

Organizations that lean into change can see a +12% increase in trust above baseline.

Manager Trust Gap:

During change, trust in direct managers drops faster than overall organizational trust.

What Builds (and Breaks) Trust:

Transparency, empathy, and communication build trust—while misalignment and poor execution erode it.

The Five Dimensions of Trust

To make trust measurable, the research outlines five key areas:

• Strategic Clarity – Do employees understand where the organization is going?

• Psychological Safety – Can people speak up without fear?

• Relational Continuity – Do employees feel connected to purpose and culture?

• Technology & Systems Trust – Are tools implemented clearly and transparently?

• Fairness in Change – How are difficult decisions (like layoffs) handled?

The Five C’s Framework

A practical model for leading through change while maintaining trust:

• Context – What’s changing and why

• Commitment – What stays the same

• Change – What’s happening next

• Care – Supporting your people

• Call to Action – What to do this week

If you lead people, manage teams, or influence culture, this episode offers clear, actionable ways to build and sustain trust—even in uncertain times.

Access the full report + resources:

sparkeffect.com/hit