Surprising upside of workplace disruption

“Disruption does not always result in decreased trust,” the report said.

“A well-managed crisis doesn’t just protect trust — it can build it beyond baseline levels, turning a moment of vulnerability into a lasting advantage.”

Organisational leadership communication during disruptions emerged as a strong factor that improved employee trust, according to the report. Other trust builders during disruption include:

• Fair treatment and empathy toward employees
• Opportunities to voice concerns and be heard
• Visible alignment between changes and organisational goals

Meanwhile, actions that can reduce trust include:

• Lack of transparency around uncertainty or trade-offs
• Perceived misalignment between leadership decisions and employee needs
• Poor handling of technology or systems rollouts

“The implication is again clear: leaders should not only aim to minimise damage in a crisis, but proactively use disruption moments to demonstrate values, clarity, and fairness, because the potential trust gains are measurable and substantial,” the report read.