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Learn what leadership at �ǿմ�ý, the CTSC’s grant partner institutions, and community thinks about trust. 

Trust is a nonnegotiable aspect of relationship building and sustainability. Defined by the Oxford Dictionary as a “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something,”  we learn that trust is both personal and institutional. Moving across levels from no trust to transactional, reciprocal to unconditional—those who prioritize the role that trust plays in how we interact with those we live, work, and learn with may find greater fulfillment in interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. 

According to Harvard Business Review, trust is the, “[...] first step to becoming a genuinely empowering leader”. We’ve reached out to leaders at �ǿմ�ý, across our grant partner institutions, and community collaborators for their take on trust. Their thoughts are compiled below. 

If you’d like to learn about the science of trust and relationships, please join the CTSC of Northern Ohio for its 3rd Annual Health Equity Challenge Series, Challenge #2, a book discussion with Peter Kim, PhD, author of How Trust Works: The Science of How Relationships Are Built, Broken, and Repaired on Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 5PM-8PM at the Jack Joseph and Morton Mandel Auditorium at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. A livestream option is also available starting at 6PM. 

, for the in-person event, before midnight on Monday, September 30 or before Wednesday, October 9 for the livestream. 

Peter Kim, PhD, is a nationally-recognized expert on the science of trust.

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How do you define trust?

According to History.com, handshakes have existed for thousands of years. One popular theory is that it began as a way of conveying peaceful intentions. A participant in the CTSC’s 2nd Annual Health Equity Challenge Series shakes hands with a CTSC administrative staff member.

“Trust is an expectation that someone will act in a consistent, honest, and respectful manner, and that they have your best interests at heart. Trust is foundational in all relationships, whether personal, professional, or social, because it fosters open communication and mutual respect.” - Paul Rose, Dean, �ǿմ�ý School of Law 

“Assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, and/or truth of someone or something.”

 [This definition was partially generated by generative AI with Dr. Kaelber’s review and adaptation.] - David Kaelber, MD, PhD, Chief Health Informatics Officer/VP of Health Informatics and Patient Engagement Technologies, MetroHealth (CTSC Informatics Module Lead)

“Based on the formal definition of trust, “[...] the belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, and effective." In the work of the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition we  understand that trust is everything and that it can move the needle on equity, but we must first be a convener that leverages our relationships to provide effective community engagement. Trust is the foundation that we must use to build and repair communities of concern.” - Yvonka Hall, Executive Director, Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition (CTSC CAB and Community Engaged Research Network Member, CTSC Voucher Awardee)

“Trust is a belief, often built from experience, that the character and code of the individual or organization is such that they can be relied on to do what is right.  Trust is foundational for society and for personal relationships.” - Peter Whiting, PhD, Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

“Trust is the belief that your actions towards another will be received in a reproducible way and that actions towards you will be made with your best interests in mind.” - Eric Kaler, President, �ǿմ�ý 

Why is trust important in academic and community collaboration?

2024 CTSC READI Themed Pilot awardees meet at the Cleveland Foundation for an afternoon of relationship-building and discussion about their research projects. Pilot funding was awarded to 10 academic-community teams exploring a variety of topics and diverse intersections that will eliminate participation barriers to clinical research.

“In academic and community collaborations, trust is crucial for ensuring that all parties work together effectively and transparently. Trust fosters open communication, encourages sharing of ideas, and ensures that different stakeholders feel respected and valued. Without trust, partnerships may be marked by suspicion, conflict, or lack of engagement, which can hinder progress and innovation. Trust also helps in resolving conflicts and misunderstandings, which are inevitable in long-term collaborations. It creates an environment where shared goals can be achieved more efficiently, and where accountability is upheld.” - Paul Rose, Dean, �ǿմ�ý School of Law 

“University-community partnerships are often hindered by mistrust. To address community concerns, we must foster transparent and respectful partnerships.” - Dexter Voisin, PhD, LCSW, Dean Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences

“I read this quote about trust, by S.R. Covey, almost everyday, ‘Trust is the glue of life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.’ Delores Collins, A.S., C-CHW, Founder/Executive Director, A Vision of Change (CTSC Community Engaged Research Network Member, 2024 CTSC READI Themed Pilot Awardee) 

“Trust is the foundation to bridge relationships between academic and community in order to foster true collaboration. Trust is needed to promote relationships among those involved in implementing translational initiatives, collaborative action and applied research that fosters more inclusive and healthy results for community members from underserved and rural areas. Trust involves a balance of power and influence as each partner leverages and aligns  to promote engagement and inclusivity for all.” - Joan Thoman, PhD, RN, CNS, Associate Professor, Cleveland State University (CTSC CAB Co-Chair and Workforce Development POD Lead)

“Trust is important when bringing any two entities together when it’s to help improve a process it becomes even more delicate as there are multiple aspects to consider. Both academia and community have different purposes while sharing overlapping goals. Academia focuses on education and discovery and how to bring the learning or discovery to light for broader recognition--academics observe while contributing for a certain amount of time (school year/grant funding). The community is generally made up of people who live and work in an area and have made a personal investment or inherited one that defines their commitment to the community. The community continues to exist before and after collaborations. Thus collaboratives work best when expectations and realities are discussed and both parties recognize shared goals and respect the inherent differences and talents each entity contributes for the period of the collaboration.  A collaboration is the beginning of a formal relationship, thus the clarity of expectations allows for people to work together. Through the process of working together each entity demonstrates its  commitment and trust is built or not. It's about building relationships and understanding/remembering relationships have good moments and rocky moments but if both remember the goal of what brought them together then the collaboration continues and adjustments might be made.” - Elizabeth Fehsenfeld, DMH, Chief of Staff, School of Medicine, �ǿմ�ý 

“Trust is critical to a successful collaboration because it ensures open communication, which is essential to a meaningful partnership. Trust allows us to share and talk through ideas in a safe space and helps us to understand one another, leading to the likelihood of achieving shared goals.” - Toni Mullee, Executive Director, Down Syndrome Association of Northeast Ohio 

“People in successful collaborations should be extending beyond what is comfortable, and therefore often will be in vulnerable positions.  People will do that more often if they have trust in their partners.” - Eric Kaler, President, �ǿմ�ý 

“Trust is critical in academic and community collaborations as trust leads to open communication and the sharing of knowledge.  When there is trust, people feel safe and have the confidence to express how they really feel about a topic which ultimately contributes to better outcomes.” - Julian A. Rogers, Associate Vice President, Local Government and Community Relations, Office of the President, �ǿմ�ý

Think of a time in your life when you've had to think critically about trust. What are key factors that help build or repair trust?

Participants in the 3rd Annual CTSC Health Equity Challenge Series’ film screening about health care’s invisible minority, the Asian American Pacific Islander community, share a plate of food at Li Wah Restaurant in MidTown Cleveland.

According to Psychology Today, in collectivistic societies, such as many Asian countries, sharing food from one plate is the norm. People are encouraged to consider others in decision-making and prioritize the group’s needs over their own.

“One key factor that helps build or repair trust is honesty, even when it can be painful and inconvenient.” - Paul Rose, Dean, �ǿմ�ý School of Law 

“In my opinion, the key factors that help build and/or repair trust are:  (1) authenticity (relational consistency and reliability), (2) relational responsibility - owning what I say and do, (3) self-awareness, (4) the ability to seek forgiveness, and (5) the ability to offer forgiveness.” - Adrianne M. Crawford Fletcher, PhD, Assistant Professor and Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence, School of Medicine, �ǿմ�ý 

“Trust is really about building a relationship based on 1:1 relationships or an endorsement from a reliable source. Guiding principles help to navigate during good and rocky times. It's imperative to seek understanding of the "why" we want a relationship to work and why it needs to shift.” - Elizabeth Fehsenfeld, DMH, Chief of Staff, School of Medicine, �ǿմ�ý 

“Trust is the foundation of the Servant and Inclusive leadership frameworks that I personally embrace and allow to drive my work in culture and engagement. One of my favorite quotes about trust is by John C. Maxwell, ‘You build trust with others each time you choose integrity over image, truth over convenience, or honor over personal gain’.” - Tina Roan-Lining, Senior Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Excellence, School of Medicine, �ǿմ�ý 

“Good communication is essential for trust, but it is not sufficient. Actions speak louder than words and one needs to see concrete evidence of good behavior before trust can be repaired.” - Eric Kaler, President, �ǿմ�ý

“Trust is the foundation of any strong community. Our perception of others' thoughts and actions is limited to what we can see on the surface, but it's human nature to speculate about the motives driving these actions. Real trust is when that speculation falls away, allowing us to focus on our shared goals without doubt or hesitation. Without trust a team can never reach its full potential, leading to miscommunication, unwarranted suspicion, and division. It is trust that allows us to foster cohesive and effective teams where collaboration, innovation and success thrive.” - Venkataramanan “Ragu” Balakrishnan, Dean, Case School of Engineering