#0424  –  Broken Trust: How Great Leaders Fix It with Dr. Darryl Stickel

#0424 – Broken Trust: How Great Leaders Fix It with Dr. Darryl Stickel

Author: Jon S. Rennie April 11, 2026 Duration: 40:08
Broken Trust: How Great Leaders Fix It Trust is at some of the lowest levels we’ve ever seen—and leaders are paying the price. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Darryl Stickel to unpack what trust really is, why it’s collapsing in today’s uncertain world, and how great leaders rebuild it inside their teams. We talk about the real definition of trust (it’s not what you think), why confidence without certainty destroys credibility, and how leaders can create “pockets of excellence” even in broken organizations. If you’re leading in a time of uncertainty—and let’s be honest, we all are—this conversation will give you practical tools to build trust, strengthen your team, and become a leader worth following. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why trust is the foundation of every high-performing team The hidden reason trust is breaking down in organizations today How uncertainty and vulnerability shape every leadership decision The three drivers of trust: benevolence, integrity, and ability How to build trust even if your organization is struggling Simple ways to show your team you “have their back” About Dr. Darryl Stickel: Dr. Darryl Stickel is a leading expert on trust and the author of Building Trust: Exceptional Leadership in an Uncertain World. He helps leaders and organizations understand how trust works—and how to build it when it matters most. Resources & Links: 🌐 Website: https://trustunlimited.com 📘 Book: Building Trust https://amzn.to/3OgMzhe 🎧 Previous episode with Darryl: (Episode 118) https://jonsrennie.com/2022/05/12/deep-leadership-episode-118-building-trust-with-darryl-stickel/ If you want to become a leader worth following, start by building trust. 👍 Like, subscribe, and share this episode to help us build a world with better bosses. Sponsors: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Cadre of Men⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Farrow Skin Care⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Salty Sailor Coffee Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leader Connect⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Qualified Leadership Series⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ____ Get all of Jon Rennie's bestselling leadership books for 15% off the regular price today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For anyone who’s ever felt that leadership advice can be too theoretical or disconnected from reality, Deep Leadership offers a grounded alternative. Host Jon S. Rennie operates from a simple, powerful belief: “Leadership is a People Business.” This isn’t about abstract concepts; it’s about the tangible, often messy work of guiding teams and organizations. Jon brings a unique perspective shaped by his time as a Cold War Submarine Officer and over two decades leading within Corporate America before founding his own manufacturing company. In each episode, he translates that extensive experience into practical, actionable insights you can apply immediately. The conversations here delve into the core of what makes leadership work-or fail-across business, culture, and society. You’ll hear from Jon and a variety of expert guests as they explore the philosophical and practical dimensions of guiding people, discussing everything from daily management challenges to broader cultural forces that shape how we work. This podcast is built on the conviction that leadership matters profoundly, and that getting it right requires depth, reflection, and a relentless focus on the human element. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that cut through the noise and get to the heart of leading well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 424

Deep Leadership
Podcast Episodes
#0282  –  Biotech Leadership with Jeff Fischer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:15
Today, I’m joined by Jeff Fischer, and we're talking about Biotech Leadership. Jeff is the co-founder and president of Longhorn Vaccines & Diagnostics. Before starting Longhorn, he was an executive vice president and CFO…
#0281 - Leadership Storytelling with Karen Eber [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:44
Today, I’m joined by Karen Eber, and we're talking about Leadership Storytelling. Karen is an author, international consultant, and keynote speaker. She has a popular TED talk called “How your brain responds to stories –…
#0280 - How to Build Engagement with Paul ter Wal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:32
Today, I’m joined by Paul ter Wal, and we're talking about How to Build Engagement. Paul is a Global Engagement Explorer, employability expert, and workplace architect. For more than 25 years, he has been in the speaking…
#0279  –  How to Make Money Doing Good with Bessi Graham [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:57
Today, I’m joined by Bessi Graham, and we are talking about How to Make Money Doing Good. Bessi is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience working with business owners, governments, and large fundi…
#0278  –  How to Lead People with Stephen Iacovelli [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:19
Today, I’m joined by retired Brigadier General Stephen Iacovelli, and we're talking about How to Lead People. Stephen enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984 and served for 39 years. He was commissioned in 1989 and commanded a…
#0277  – How to Lead a Startup with Shane Foss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:14
Today, I’m joined by Shane Foss, and we are talking about How to Lead a Startup. Shane is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hooray Health. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force, where he was a Surgical…
#0276  –  What is Emotional Intelligence? with Nadine Zeinoun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:51
Today, I’m joined by Nadine Zeinoun, and we're answering the question - What is Emotional Intelligence? Nadine is a certified Executive, Emotional Intelligence, and Team Coach. She is also the host of the popular TV Show…
#0274 – Achieving your Dreams with Dr. Deji Ayoade [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:49
Today, I’m joined by Dr. Deji Ayoade, and we're talking about Achieving your Dreams. Deji is the first African immigrant to become a nuclear missile operator in the United States Air Force and serve in three U.S. militar…