Most leaders think they have a trust problem.
But what they actually have is a gap problem... the gap between what they say and what they actually do.
In this episode of Loyalty by Leadership, Hollie Geitner, a communications leader with nearly three decades of experience helping organizations build trust from the inside out, shares her unique framework.
Hollie breaks down how leaders create lasting loyalty through intentional actions, authentic communication, actionable feedback, psychological safety, and human-centered leadership.
She shares powerful stories from crisis communications, organizational change, and mission-driven work, including how she helped guide communication during a major underground oil leak in Pittsburgh.
Darrell and Hollie also dig into why employees should be treated as an organization's internal customers, how leaders can create a culture where people feel safe to speak up, and why the people closest to the process often have the best ideas for improvement.
You'll also hear why Hollie believes organizations must align their voice, values, and actions, and why she sees transformation as a renovation rather than a full reinvention.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why trust and loyalty are built through consistent actions
• How to give feedback that helps people grow
• Why psychological safety matters in leadership
• How internal communication affects customer loyalty
• Why employees should be treated as primary customers
• How leaders can communicate during a crisis
• Why authenticity is more powerful than polished messaging
• How mission-driven organizations build long-term loyalty
• Why people closest to the work often see the best solutions
Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction to Loyalty by Leadership
(00:12) Meet Holly Geitner
(00:43) The trust deficit facing organizations
(01:37) What people-centered leadership looks like
(03:30) Creating intentional trust and connection
(04:14) The power of actionable feedback
(05:11) Why honest feedback creates loyalty
(07:07) The principles behind lasting loyalty
(07:35) Building a reputational ecosystem
(09:01) Human-centered leadership versus servant leadership
(09:29) Leading with vulnerability during uncertainty
(10:23) The four customers every organization must balance
(12:21) Why internal communication shapes external trust
(13:06) Treating employees with dignity during layoffs
(15:02) Costco and the employee-first customer experience
(16:27) Helping leaders build loyalty
(17:15) Leading through a potential environmental crisis
(18:29) Why communicating early builds trust
(19:54) The courage to speak up
(21:38) Creating psychological safety
(22:53) Lessons from It's Your Ship
(24:02) Listening to the people closest to the process
(25:09) What crisis leadership teaches everyday organizations
(26:19) Long-term thinking in healthcare leadership
(27:55) Why transformation can be viewed as renovation
(29:34) How Anchored Voice helps organizations
(30:25) Aligning messaging, values, and actions
(31:23) Building a message house
(32:19) The importance of authenticity and imperfection
(33:31) Finding a mission-driven ideal client
(36:13) Choosing impact and values over status
(37:05) Why people want something real
(37:46) How to connect with Holly Geitner
(38:50) Closing thoughts
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