Fixing the trust deficit: Creating a culture of professionals

The levels of trust within many organizations today are low. They can be raised by increasing the sense of professionalism in each person, Wiersma contends. This can be a source of “great power and even competitive advantage,” as professionals build on certain mind‐sets, such as having integrity, lofty standards, and a commitment to organizational success. Wiersma outlines three crucial steps leaders can take to foster a professional culture. The journey is important, because professionalism is “the ladder upon which all other organizational virtues mount.”