Ep #160: Do Your Employees Trust You? | The Science of Workplace Trust with Dr. Rob McKenna (Pt 1)

What does trust actually look like inside an organization — and can it be measured?

In this episode of The H.I.T. Podcast, Toby Kennedy sits down with Dr. Rob McKenna, founder of Wild Leaders and author of the USA Today bestselling book Whole Leaders, Wild Trust.

Dr. McKenna explains why trust is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—drivers of organizational success. More importantly, he shows how leaders can move beyond vague conversations about “culture” and begin measuring the specific behaviors that build trust.

What We Cover

• What WILD stands for: Whole and Intentional Leader Development
• Why trust is essential for performance, retention, and accountability
• The Wild Trust Index, which measures 33 specific drivers of trust
• Why leadership development is fundamentally trust-building
• How job clarity creates accountability and confidence
• The importance of truth-telling and healthy conflict
• Why emotional maturity is a foundational leadership skill

A Powerful Endorsement

Dr. McKenna also shares how Stephen Covey, author of The Speed of Trust, wrote the foreword to his book after recognizing the importance of measuring the inputs that create trust—not just the outcomes.

If you lead people, shape culture, or want to build a stronger organization, this episode offers practical, research-backed insights you can apply immediately.