How a simple slide deck fans the flames of workplace mistrust

Walter works for a large national bank, but like many employees in low-trust environments, he’s become all too familiar with the empty promises that erode confidence in leadership. In Walter’s division, team meetings are rare but required, usually led by his manager’s supervisor, Andy (not his real name). Each meeting follows a predictable pattern: a presentation accompanied by a slide deck, and the promise that the slide deck will be emailed to everyone afterward. But here’s the catch—it never happens.

Every time Andy promises to send the slides, Walter and his colleagues already know what’s coming…nothing. The missing slide deck may seem like a small thing, but it’s a glaring symbol of a larger issue—Andy’s failure to follow through. And it’s just another building block of mistrust within the team.

How Andy’s Carelessness Breeds Mistrust

In low-trust environments, small acts of carelessness, like not sending out the promised slide deck, become magnified. Andy’s repeated failure to follow through sends a clear message: he can’t be trusted with even the simplest task. And when Walter’s manager—Andy’s direct report—can’t seem to get him to provide the slides either, the team’s trust in her takes a hit too.

Walter and his colleagues often wonder, “If our manager can’t get Andy to do something as basic as sending the slides, how can she possibly advocate for us on bigger issues?” This reinforces the belief that their manager has little power or influence, further deepening the mistrust. In high-trust environments, a small mistake like forgetting to send a slide deck might earn a gentle reminder or empathy for how busy someone is. But in a low-trust environment, it feels like another confirmation that leaders aren’t reliable.

As the saying goes, “If you can’t be trusted with the little things, how can you be trusted with the big things?” Andy’s ongoing failure to keep his word paints him as either disorganized, careless, or, at worst, dishonest. And in a culture already struggling with trust, this fuels the fire of suspicion and frustration.

The Simple Fix That Could Make a Big Difference

Here’s the irony: the solution is so simple. Andy just needs to send the slide deck. It won’t instantly build trust, but it’s a starting point—one small building block in the larger structure of trust that can be rebuilt over time. By consistently keeping his word on even the smallest commitments, Andy could start to reverse the damage and stop fanning the flames of mistrust.

Trust isn’t built in grand gestures—it’s the little things done consistently that make the biggest difference. Whether it’s sending a slide deck, following through on a promise, or simply showing that you care about the details, these small actions add up.