Building Trust Across Boundaries

Beloved reader,

This week, I’m reflecting on something many of us struggle with: trust—and how it intersects with power.

Trust isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the invisible thread that holds relationships, teams, and systems together. Yet, in a world where power is often wielded transactionally, trust can feel impossible to build. We tend to doubt the motivations of the powerful—sometimes for good reason. When I find myself with more power, I try to use it to extend trust first to those with less. And when I have less power, I instinctively look for evidence that the person with more isn’t using it against me, even subconsciously.

The truth is, our culture often enforces transactional relationships, where people are skeptical of being asked for anything—especially if it goes against collective interest. So how do we move beyond this? How do we create trust that’s grounded in shared purpose, mutual respect, and empathy, rather than the zero-sum dynamics we’ve inherited?

That’s why I’m so excited to host Dennis O’Donoghue on this week’s episode of Cultural Luminaries (Friday at 12:30 PM PST on LinkedIn Live). Dennis, a former Marine Corps and NASA test pilot and retired Boeing Vice President, will share stories of leading cultural transformation in some of the most complex, high-stakes environments imaginable. Together, we’ll explore:

• How to foster trust in hierarchical systems.
• Why psychological safety is a prerequisite for creativity and innovation.
• The risks and rewards of prioritizing people and culture in systems-change work.

I can’t wait for this conversation because it speaks to the heart of what I believe: To create the future we need, we must start by building cultures of safety, trust, and accountability. It’s the foundation for creativity, connection, and the kind of work that truly makes a difference.

?? Tune in live this Friday at 12:30 PM PST to hear Dennis’s incredible insights and take away actionable strategies for your own leadership journey.

RSVP and Watch It Here

Seen the viral haka video? Let’s go deeper.

On KEXP, I hosted a special Indigenous Peoples’ Day episode featuring all indigenous music and an interview with Amelia Butler, a Māori cultural practitioner. We explored the haka—not just a war dance, but a powerful outlet for anger, a celebration of the warrior spirit, and a way to connect through emotion.

If the haka moved you, tune in to hear Amelia’s insights and music honoring Indigenous traditions worldwide.

Listen Here

Catch Last Week’s Episode with Rebekah Bastian

If you missed last week’s incredible conversation with Rebekah Bastian, SVP of Product and Marketing at Glowforge and founder of OwnTrail, you can catch the replay.

Rebekah shared her powerful insights on how leaders can balance ambition with impact, build inclusive cultures, and challenge outdated systems for the greater good. It was a thought-provoking episode filled with actionable wisdom. Don’t miss it!

Watch it here

A Quick Share

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it takes to rebuild trust—not just at work but in ourselves. This past year, stepping into my voice and sharing my stories through Cultural Luminaries and my upcoming book has been a journey of learning to trust myself.

It’s a reminder to you (and to me) that trust doesn’t just flow outward; it starts from within. When we feel safe in our own skin, we radiate that safety outward, creating the conditions for others to show up fully too.

Let’s start there—by trusting ourselves enough to create, connect, and lead boldly.

See you Friday,

Jyoti