Trust is the backbone of every personal brand, whether you name it or not. It shows up in how you communicate, how consistently you follow through, how you handle hybrid work, and how you show sensitivity—or don’t—when people need it most. In a workplace culture filled with mixed signals, missed expectations, and performative “niceness,” trust has become the true measure of credibility. It determines whether people feel grounded with you or guarded around you, whether they choose to follow your lead or quietly disengage. And as Paula and Minda explore, trust isn’t a luxury; it’s the signal that shapes your reputation long before you enter the room.

In this episode Paula sits down with bestselling author and workplace equity leader Minda Harts to unpack how trust shapes personal brands, leadership, and the everyday interactions that define your credibility. They break down how trust erodes in the quiet moments, what the Seven Trust Languages® reveal about what people actually need from you, and how to repair credibility once it’s been damaged. Together, they explore how trust influences hybrid communication, cross-generational dynamics, allyship, and the values-based behaviors that make a leader believable. If you care about how you’re perceived, how you lead, and how your brand lives in the minds of others, this conversation gives you the framework to strengthen every relationship you touch.

1:15   – Three words to describe Minda right now, current hype songs, the self-quote on her mind these days, and the repeat track of her trust brand playlist

3:34 – Why Minda’s latest book, Talk to Me Nice, matters in this moment

4:44 – How Minda’s personal brand has evolved (but not pivoted) to leading conversations about trust

6:50 – The communication crisis in the workplace and its impact on trust within organizations

8:41 – Quick rundown of Minda’s Seven Trust Languages® framework 

9:50 – Examples of why security is one of the most important trust languages today

13:43 – Examples of trust violations that can damage your relationships and reputation

17:32 – How managers in the workplace can begin to repair broken trust

20:20 – The first step you can take to demonstrate trust and credibility

23:16 – Follow-through as the key to building trustworthiness in a hybrid work situation (i.e., when you’re not in the same room)

27:22 – Why it’s more important than ever to intentionally build trust

31:55 – The difference between being performative and being demonstrative in allyship

36:36 – Who’s on Minda’s personal trust squad and celebrities whose brands scream trustworthiness

40:20 – What celebrity trust violations can teach others about values and brand alignment

42:27 – Workplace best friends in the heads of Paula and Minda

Mentioned In Talk to Me Nice: How Trust Shapes Your Personal Brand with Minda Harts

Mindy Harts

Using Branding to Empower Women of Color for Success in the Workplace with Minda Harts

How to Assemble and Leverage Your Personal Board of Directors

Sponsor for this episode

PGE Consulting Group LLC empowers individuals and organizations to lead with purpose, presence, and impact. Specializing in leadership development and

You know I love conferences. They're where credibility, connections, and opportunities collide, but showing up isn't enough. That's why I created Paula's Playbook: Engage Your Hustle - Conference Edition.

Check it out at paulaedgar.com/digital-products and get ready to stop blending and start branding at conferences.