Building a Culture of Compassion and Trust | Elisa Steele & David Horsager

As we navigate the journey through the business world, we may find ourselves on unforeseen paths — often more than once. Our plans may change as time and technology evolve, but as leaders we must develop strong agility skills. We learn to be flexible and adaptable by taking action and becoming agents for change. Leading teams through changing times starts with establishing a culture that supports collaboration, empowerment and transparency. 

Our first guest is Elisa Steele, VP of Strategy and Chief Marketing Officer at Jive Software. Elisa has served in leadership roles with top technology companies, including Yahoo!, Skype and Microsoft, and has learned firsthand how a company’s culture can, and should, evolve during times of rapid innovation and disruption. As C-Suite leaders, it’s not just about quick decision making — it’s about agility, flexibility and a focus on the future. This is what ensures the endurance and longevity of a brand.

In developing a culture of values as leaders and ensuring their brands are reflective of those values, there is an essential component that must be placed above all else: Trust. There are many misconceptions surrounding the concept of “trust,” and this can lead to a misalignment of values in an organization. A lack of trust is truly a business leader’s greatest expense, but developing a culture of compassion can positively affect the bottom line. 

Our second guest, David Horsager, is an award-winning keynote speaker, noted expert on trust and author of the bestseller, “The Trust Edge: How Top Leaders Gain Faster Results, Deeper Relationships, and a Stronger Bottom Line.” David explains that the greatest leaders are those who work on their compassion skills and stay educated to remain fresh, relevant and capable in their industries.