We’re living in a trust recession—and most leaders are still showing up like it’s business as usual. In this episode, I’m joined by Salvatore Manzi—executive communication coach and author of the upcoming book Clear and Compelling—to talk about what it really takes to build trust before you speak.

Let’s keep it real: memorizing talking points and “performing” presence isn’t cutting it anymore. Leaders today must embody credibility from the inside out—and that means aligning identity, values, and voice with the external moments that matter.

We’re unpacking:

• Why self-trust is a prerequisite for market trust

• How over-relying on comms teams and scripts erodes credibility

• The “trust leaks” you’re not thinking about (like your tone of voice)

• The link between identity, legacy, and external influence

If your leaders sound robotic, go off-script in a panic, or leave audiences uninspired—it’s not a polish problem. It’s a preparation problem. And this episode is your fix.

What you’ll learn:

• The trust-building signals leaders must send before they say a word

• How to shift from “company rep” to recognized authority

• The biggest trust killers hiding in plain sight

• Why identity is the leadership strategy no one’s talking about

Resources mentioned:

• Salvatore Manzi’s Clear & Compelling Resource Library: https://clearandcompellingplaybook.com

• Connect with Salvatore on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatoremanzi/

Your Next Steps:

• Access the white paper: External Influence: The Currency Every Leader Must Carry. https://externalinfluence.us

• Follow Shayna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaynarattler/

• Visit our website: https://executivesignalsgroup.com