Why Trust Is the First Metric

Backstroke & Breakthroughs – Post #11 | From the Inside Out

Let me tell you something that doesn’t show up in most DEI reports:
Trust is the first metric.
Not participation.
Not headcount.
Not survey responses.
Trust.

And yet, in so many public media spaces I’ve worked in or coached through, it’s the one thing most overlooked—because you can’t fake it, fund it, or fast-track it. It’s built through consistency, transparency, and care. Without it, no amount of policy or programming will move the needle. Because if people don’t feel safe to show up fully, they won’t show up at all.

I wrote about this in my recent Greater Public article, “The Importance of Employee Resource Groups and How to Create One at Your Station”. What I didn’t get to say in the article—but I’ll say here—is that for people like me, trust isn’t optional. It’s survival.

When I helped launch and support ERGs, I didn’t start with logos, names, or agendas. I started with the people. I listened first. I asked, “What do you need to feel seen here? What would make this place more livable for you?”

The answers weren’t always pretty—but they were honest:

“I need someone to say it’s okay to cry after a racist encounter.”
“I want to share my culture without having to educate everyone.”
“I need to know that if I speak up, I won’t lose my job.”

That’s the foundation. Not donuts at meetings. Not rainbow lanyards during Pride.
But truth. Transparency. Protection.

You can’t build a container for healing and then punish people when they bleed.

This week’s takeaway:
If your team doesn’t trust the culture, they won’t bring their full selves to the work. And if they can’t bring their full selves, what are you really building?

I’ve learned to measure trust by what happens between the meetings:

• Who checks in after someone shares something vulnerable?
• Who speaks up when no one’s watching?
• Who takes risks because they believe someone will catch them?

If you’re trying to build anything meaningful—especially an ERG or any space meant for equity—start there.

Don’t ask, “What can we launch?”
Ask, “What kind of trust do we need to build first?”

And then move at the speed of that trust.

Still building,
– J.R.