Breaking Trust at Work
Trust is the foundation of effective leadership. As a leader, every interaction is an opportunity to either strengthen or weaken the trust your team places in you.
Have you been breaking trust?
My Role
LX Designer
Audience
Frontline Leaders
Project Type
Short-form Video
Duration
40 seconds
Problem
Many leaders unintentionally break trust through actions like inconsistent communication, micromanagement, lack of follow-through, or dismissing feedback. These trust breakers compound over time, leading to disengagement, low morale, and even attrition. The challenge? Leaders rarely receive direct feedback about these behaviors, and traditional training formats are too time-consuming to address them effectively.
Solution
I created a short microlearning video, designed with a social-media feel, that delivers high-impact insights in under two minutes. Rather than functioning only as a standalone lesson, the video was built to do double duty: it teaches a genuine insight about trust-breaking behaviors on its own, while also driving awareness of related courses already sitting — often unused — in the LMS. For leaders scrolling past on a busy day, it works as a quick, self-contained takeaway; for leaders who want to go deeper, it becomes the entry point into further training.
To validate this approach, I conducted user testing with leaders to gauge how the video's length, pacing, and structure actually landed. Their feedback shaped final decisions on pacing and framing before the video was finalized.
This format is designed to:
Raise awareness of subtle but damaging leadership behaviors
Encourage self-reflection without overwhelming the learner
Fit seamlessly into a leader's day
Increase LMS engagement by giving leaders a low-commitment entry point into courses they might otherwise never discover
Tools Used
Synthesia
AI video creation for a polished, professional look without a full production crew.
Synthesia
Storyboarding the scenario and course structure.
Usertesting.com
Gathered feedback from leaders on format, tone, and length before finalizing, to confirm the video actually landed rather than just looking clever.
A Look Inside the Design
As part of my commitment to honoring client trust and proprietary content, I'm unable to share the full video I developed for Development Dimensions International (DDI). The materials are protected under confidentiality agreements and internal use policies.
Here's a short glimpse into the design choices behind it.
Design Highlights
Talking Directly to the Learner
I chose a direct-address format to speak to the learner, not at them.
This conversational tone fosters psychological safety and emotional engagement, which are critical when discussing sensitive topics like leadership and trust.
It mirrors coaching or mentoring interactions, making the content feel more personal and applicable.
It supports constructivist learning, where learners reflect on their own experiences in light of the message being delivered. By addressing the learner directly, I created a sense of accountability and empathy, encouraging deeper reflection and behavior change.
Validating with Real Leaders
Before finalizing, I tested different versions with real leaders rather than relying on instinct alone.
Compared podcast-style vs. direct-to-camera delivery
Tested casual vs. polished presentation styles
Compared different video lengths
Leaders preferred direct-address, polished — it felt more credible for a leadership topic
Highlighting Trust-Breaking Behaviors
Trust is foundational to effective leadership, and sometimes the most powerful lessons come from understanding what not to do.
I used video to illustrate common missteps—such as micromanaging, withholding information, or failing to follow through—that can erode team trust.
This approach supports experiential learning and transformative learning theory, prompting learners to re-evaluate assumptions and commit to better practices. By showing what to avoid, I helped learners build awareness and emotional intelligence—key traits for any leader.
“Every interaction either builds trust or breaks it.”
See It Yourself
While the full video remains private, here’s a glimpse into the video I crafted.
Select the play button to watch the video.
Let’s Connect
If you're interested in seeing more examples of how I apply learning theory to design, feel free to reach out. I’d love to share additional projects and insights from my work as a Learning Experience Designer.
www.linkedin.com/in/marilu-oliva/