WiLD Conversation

The Invisible Systems Shaping Your Leadership: Trust, Culture, and Organizational Experience with Daniel Edds

In this episode Dr. Rob McKenna and Daniel Edds take a deep dive into the unseen forces shaping our organizations—culture, trust, and the systems that define them. Dan shares from decades of experiences highlighting a hard truth: the systems we create (or fail to create) dictate the experience of every person in an organization.
🔹 Leadership Takeaways:
Culture Exists, Whether You Define It or Not – Every organization has a culture. The question is whether it’s intentional or accidental.
Systems Drive Experience – The way we structure work creates an emergent experience, shaping morale, engagement, and trust.
People Want to Be Proud of Where They Work – Nearly everyone desires to be part of something meaningful. Leaders have the opportunity—and responsibility—to cultivate that sense of pride.
Making No Decision is Still a Decision – Leadership requires making conscious choices, not just letting culture evolve by default.
This episode challenges us to reflect on the systems we build and the invisible forces shaping the way our teams operate.
Listen to: The Evolution of Leadership Development here: https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-xi7h8-15bbbd2
For more on Leveraging the Genetics of Leadership: Cracking the Code of Sustainable Team Performance by Dan Edds click here: https://a.co/d/96Pbm0d

The State of Trust at Work Report—What Every Leader Needs to Know

At WiLD Leaders, we’ve spent years developing whole leaders—leaders who are both courageous and sacrificial—because we knew that leadership development couldn’t be a one-off event. It had to be a system. A rhythm. Something embedded into the very fabric of an organization. What we found along the way? Trust was the game changer. It wasn’t just a byproduct of good leadership; it was the leading indicator of whether teams and organizations would succeed.
The State of Trust at Work Report—What Every Leader Needs to Know:
Trust isn’t a given—it’s a process. Nearly half of all employees (48%) exist in what we call the jungle of trust—where trust in their teams, leaders, and organizations is low. And even in high-trust organizations, 41% of people still struggle with trust daily. The assumption that trust is “just there” if leadership is strong enough? It’s false. Trust is always being built or eroded.
Conflict is not the problem. How we handle it is. One of the lowest-rated areas in teams across the board was navigating high-conflict moments. Yet, that same ability to compose ourselves under pressure is one of the top drivers of trust. In other words, teams that embrace conflict—handle it with honesty and courage—build trust faster and stronger than those that avoid it.
Trust isn’t binary. It’s dynamic. Our data shows that 73% of employees are struggling with trust at either the team or organizational level—or both. But that doesn’t mean trust is broken forever. Trust isn’t something we either have or don’t have; it’s something we question, rebuild, and strengthen over time.
Performance and truth-telling matter. High-trust teams don’t just “get along” with each other. They tell the truth. They own their wins and their failures. Vulnerability isn’t about weakness—it’s about the courage to be real. If you’re leading a team, ask yourself: Are we creating an environment where truth is spoken, mistakes are owned, and performance is a shared responsibility?
Emotional maturity is the difference-maker. Leaders in the C-suite all have experience, but the ones who truly transform organizations have something more—the ability to be both clear and compassionate, strong and humble. Trust is built when leaders develop the self-awareness to understand their competence, motivations, and impact on others.
What This Means for Leaders Like You:
See leadership development as trust-building. It’s not about isolated training events. Developing people is a long-term strategy for building trust across an organization.
Invest in a whole and intentional leadership development system. Stop viewing leadership growth as a one-off solution. Embed it into the fabric of how your team operates.
Start with yourself. If you’re a senior leader, your self-awareness, clarity, and emotional maturity will set the tone for your organization’s culture of trust.
Create a learning culture. Organizations that normalize growth, learning, and truth-telling—not perfection—are the ones where trust thrives.
Imagine an organization where every person could say, I trust you—not because you’re perfect, but because you’re working it out. That kind of trust begins within us, grows in the patterns between us, and is sustained by the conditions we create around us.
Let’s do this. And let’s do this together. 
Download the State of Trust at Work report here.
Learn more about the WiLD Trust Index.
Schedule a time to meet with a WiLD Team member today.

Becoming Trustworthy—The Connection We Are All Missing with Dr. Rob McKenna and Sabeth Kapahu

Trust isn’t just built between people—it begins within us. In this episode of WiLD Conversation Podcast, Dr. Rob McKenna and Sabeth Kapahu unpack the critical connection between trust, self-awareness, and worthiness.
According to the Relate Project research 41% of young adults don’t feel worthy of love. What does that mean for leadership, relationships, and the way we build trust? Trustworthiness isn’t something we declare or demand—it’s something we live into. It’s about reliability, consistency, and truth-telling, not just in our words but in our actions.
In this conversation, Rob and Sabeth explore: 🔹 How our sense of self-worth impacts our ability to trust others 🔹 Why distrust thrives in the shadows—and how to bring it into the light 🔹 The role of failure in becoming trustworthy 🔹 Why trust must be built before it can be earned
Trust isn’t just about believing in someone else—it’s about knowing ourselves well enough to lead with integrity. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating relationships, or just trying to find solid ground, this episode challenges you to look inward first.
WiLD Leaders is excited to announce our State of Trust at Work report—an in-depth look at the data, insights, and actions that can help leaders like you cultivate trust in your sphere of influence.
Be the first to receive it upon release.
→ Sign Up to receive the report.
#WiLDConversation #TrustworthyLeadership #SelfWorth #LeadershipMatters

Process is King: Why Leaders Fail Without It with Dr. Arthur Satterwhite

In this episode of The WiLD Conversation Podcast, Dr. Rob McKenna sits down with Dr. Arthur Satterwhite III to discuss why process is everything—whether you’re leading a team, launching a product, or rebuilding trust. Dr. Satterwhite shares his research from The Relate Project, unpacking what leaders must understand about relational trust, adolescent culture, and the phases we often overlook when trying to create lasting impact.
Drawing from his own leadership journey, he challenges us to consider:
Are we intentional about every phase of the leadership process?
Are we bringing the right people in at the right time?
Are we building trust strategically instead of assuming it will happen?
From business strategy to leadership development, this episode is a wake-up call for leaders who want to stop short-changing their impact and start leading with intentionality.
Key Leadership Takeaways:🚀 Process isn’t a barrier—it’s the path to sustainable success.🤝 Trust isn’t automatic—there’s a process to rebuilding and maintaining it.💡 Overlooking key phases in leadership or strategy can undermine everything.

Lead with Action & Alignment: The Pathway to Trust and Transformation with Wiley Cortez

Do you change your actions, or do you shift your mindset? Research suggests it’s both.
In this compelling conversation, Dr. Rob McKenna and Wiley Cortez dive into the tension between thought and action. Wiley shares his personal journey from gang life to leadership, highlighting the power of alignment, prioritizing relationships over transactions, and the rhythms of consistency that build trusted relationships.
Leadership isn’t just about vision—it’s about reliability, commitment, and the choices we make along the way. Tune in as we break down what it truly takes to lead yourself and your team toward meaningful impact.
Leadership Takeaways:✅ Alignment matters—Develop yourself as a leader alongside your team.✅ Trust is built on consistency—Reliability is one of the most powerful drivers of trust.✅ Commit to your vision—Be specific, be clear, and stay the course.✅ Relationships over transactions—Leadership is about people, not just results.
#Leadership #Trust #Alignment #MindsetShift #Consistency #LeadWithAction #Reliability #RelationalLeadership

Conflict, Trust, and the Energy Between: How Leaders Steward the Tension with Dr. Nate Regier

Many leaders see conflict as a problem to avoid rather than a resource to steward. But what if conflict isn’t inherently bad? What if it’s simply the energy in the gap between differences—a natural outcome of diversity?
In this episode of the WiLD Conversation Podcast, Dr. Rob McKenna sits down with Nate Regier from Next Element to explore:
Why conflict and trust are deeply interconnected.
How the most effective leaders manage the energy of conflict rather than suppress it.
Why composure in leadership is more than self-control—it’s a form of compassionate accountability.
The critical intersection between people and process—and why separating them is a mistake.
The power of research-backed leadership development that balances qualitative insights with objective data.
Leaders today are running low on energy. But what if the key to energized, resilient leadership isn’t about avoiding conflict—but learning how to harness it?
Join Rob and Nate for a deep dive into the art and science of leading with trust, navigating conflict with wisdom, and transforming organizational dynamics for the better.
Leadership Takeaways:
Conflict is Inevitable—How You Steward It Matters. It’s not about whether conflict is good or bad, but how you manage the energy in the gap between differences.
Trust and Conflict Are Two Sides of the Same Coin. Healthy teams don’t avoid conflict—they build trust through compassionate accountability and honest dialogue.
Composure is Leadership Currency. Leaders who remain steady in high-conflict situations create stability and psychological safety for their teams.
People and Process Must Work Together. The best organizations don’t separate operational excellence from human connection—they embrace the paradox.
Measurement Brings Clarity. Balancing qualitative and quantitative insights helps leaders see the truth, make intelligent mistakes, and ask better questions.
#Leadership #ConflictResolution #WiLDConversations #CompassionateAccountability #EnergyManagement #OrganizationalHealth

The Courage to Connect: Breaking Barriers & Building Whole Community

In this weeks WiLD Conversation podcast episode, we explore the deep need for community—why we seek it, how we build it, and what it means for leadership. From childhood experiences with unconventional communities to forging lifelong bonds through intentional gatherings, we uncover the undeniable influence of being surrounded by people who challenge, support, and sustain us. Whether leading an organization, raising a family, or navigating life’s transitions, true community brings us closer to wholeness. Leaders thrive not in isolation but within intentional relationships that encourage growth, vulnerability, and trust.
 
Key Takeaways:✅ Community is about commonality, purpose, and shared experiences—leaders must foster environments where people feel a sense of belonging.✅ The best communities allow people to be as close to their whole selves as possible, cultivating trust, vulnerability, and deep connection.✅ Great leadership is built within strong communities—without them, leaders risk isolation and stagnation.✅ Building community requires courage, intention, and the willingness to invite others in, even when it’s difficult.
Our Strategic Support Assessment (SSA) in our WiLD Toolkit builds your strategic network of support in real time. This includes mentors, role models, those who provide you with feedback, emotional support, and even those who may open a door when you are looking for a new opportunity. In addition, the SSA allows you to build a core group of individuals who will serve as your personal advisory board.
 
Want to learn more? Connect with a WiLD Team member today to explore how the SSA can help you strengthen your support system and navigate your leadership journey with greater confidence.
#Leadership #CommunityMatters #WholeLeaders #IntentionalLiving #Trust #ResilientLeadership #Belonging #WiLDConversation #Strategic #Support

Making Trust a Hard Target

In a world defined by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA), trust is often the first casualty in our fight against bad actors. But what if trust wasn’t so easily broken? What if, instead, we made trust a hard target—one that is fortified, resilient, and deeply embedded in our leadership and teams?
In this episode, we explore how resilient leaders build trust systematically, just as we design security frameworks to guard against external threats. True resilience begins at the individual level, requiring vulnerability, self-awareness, and the courage to share our learning with others.
When trust is strong, communication thrives, collaboration strengthens, and our organizations shift from chaotic jungles to fortified strongholds.
Join us as we uncover the methodologies that move teams from surviving to thriving, and learn how making trust a hard target can transform your leadership, your team, and your mission.
 

The Sacred Trade-Off: 10 Keys to Sacrifice, Self-Preservation, and Leadership Wholeness

Sacrificial leadership isn’t about giving up everything—it’s about thoughtfully considering the personal costs necessary to live in alignment with your values and serve those around you. In this episode, we unpack what it means to lead sacrificially without losing yourself, explore the tension between self-preservation and selflessness, and discuss how true sacrifice often involves letting go of what we hold most tightly.
Through practical insights and relatable examples, we’ll challenge you to identify your "sacrificial line" and embrace the uncomfortable yet transformational moments that build trust, deepen relationships, and foster authentic leadership.
Leadership Takeaways
Sacrifice Isn’t All or NothingTrue leadership recognizes the balance between self-preservation and sacrificial moments—it’s not about giving everything up, but about making thoughtful, meaningful choices for the benefit of others.
Awareness is KeyTo lead sacrificially, you must first identify what you hold most tightly—be it pride, comfort, control, or something deeply personal—and consider the cost of letting it go.
Sacrifice is RelationalTrue sacrifice happens in the context of relationships. Whether in the workplace, with family, or friends, leadership often requires putting someone else’s needs above your own.
Sacrifice Requires CourageSacrificial leadership invites vulnerability, humility, and the courage to act on the quiet nudges we often ignore—like putting down your phone or truly listening to someone else’s story.
For more on WiLD Leaders visit: https://www.wildleaders.org/
Let's connect to explore how you can use the WiLD Trust Index to measure and build trust in your own organization.
Click here for more on the WiLD Trust Index: https://www.wildleaders.org/wild-trust-index
#Leadership #Sacrifice #PersonalGrowth #AuthenticLeadership #RelationalLeadership #GrowthMindset #SelfAwareness #WiLD #Podcast #BuildingTrust #WiLDTrustPlatform
 

Nature vs. Nurture: Personality, Change, and Trust

In this episode of The WiLD Conversation, Dr. Rob McKenna dives deep into a timeless question: Are leaders born or made? Sharing insights from years of research, Dr. McKenna unpacks the interplay between personality traits and growth mindsets, exploring what truly shapes effective leaders. From the impact of the Big Five personality traits (like conscientiousness and extraversion) to the groundbreaking work of Carol Dweck on mindsets, this episode challenges listeners to rethink how they view leadership potential in themselves and others.
Key leadership takeaways include:
Balancing Nature and Nurture: While personality traits like neuroticism or openness are stable over time, the right environment and mindset can still drive meaningful change.
The Role of Language in Growth: How we speak to others can influence their belief in their ability to grow, shaping their potential and performance.
Whole Leader Development: True leadership development requires understanding the dynamic tension between who people are and who they can become.
Join Dr. McKenna for an inspiring conversation that offers a more complete perspective on leadership and human potential.
#LeadershipDevelopment #GrowthMindset #BornOrMade #PersonalityTraits #WiLDConversation