Imagine sending a question to a colleague working from home. An hour passes. No reply. Their status shows “away.” You start building a story. Perhaps they are taking a long lunch. Perhaps your request is not a priority. Perhaps working from home isn’t working quite as well as they claim. Meanwhile, they may be concentrating on the report you asked them to finish, taking an agreed break, or assuming your question can wait until the afternoon. The same uncertainty can arise wit

What are we really relying on when we trust someone at work? Part 1 of this five-part series explores how ability, care, and integrity shape trust—and how everyday leadership conversations give people reasons to rely on us.