Episode 313: Building Trust with Minda Harts

Episode 313: Building Trust with Minda Harts

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In this powerful episode of Beyond the Business Suit, host Kailei Carr is joined by workplace equity consultant and bestselling author, Minda Harts, to explore the critical role of trust in the workplace. As a preview of her forthcoming book, Talk to Me Nice: Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace (coming July 2025), Minda introduces a transformative framework designed to help leaders and teams view trust not just as a value, but as a strategic asset.

During the conversation, Minda breaks down the seven trust languages and shares how each can be used to foster healthier, more productive work environments. Together, Kailei and Minda also discuss why trust is essential to combating burnout, improving retention, and enhancing team culture, especially when we spend over 90,000 hours of our lives at work.

Whether you’re a leader, team member, or change agent, this episode will leave you reflecting on how to build (and rebuild) trust with intention and impact.

ABOUT MINDA HARTS:

Minda Harts is a bestselling author, workplace consultant, and sought-after keynote speaker, helping organizations turn trust into their most significant competitive advantage. Through her groundbreaking Seven Trust Languages® framework, she equips leaders, teams, and professionals with actionable strategies to build high-trust, high-impact workplaces.

Minda has shaped conversations on workplace equity, self-advocacy, and leadership as the author of The Memo, Right Within, and You Are More Than Magic. Her impact spans boardrooms and conference stages worldwide, with companies like Nike, Google, Best Buy, and JPMorgan Chase calling on her to redefine leadership and workplace culture. LinkedIn has recognized her as the #1 Top Voice in the Workplace and by Business Insider as one of the top 100 People Transforming Business.

Minda’s next book, Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace (July 22, 2025), is set to revolutionize how leaders and teams harness trust as their most valuable asset.

In addition to her work as a speaker and consultant, Minda is an assistant professor at NYU and the founder of The Memo LLC, where she is shaping the next generation of leaders.

QUOTABLES:

“How are we cultivating trust each and every day?”

“I want us to remember that the human element of the workplace…people are not robots.”

“People forget that trust is earned.”

“Sometimes we need to get under the hood and find out what we need more of in the workplace.”

“What does trust look like for you in the workplace?”

THE FINAL FIVE

1. When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up? As a child, I wanted to work at the airport. I thought, they were around all these planes and they get to travel. At first it was a flight attendant but if you’ve ever met me in person I wasn’t going to be able to put anyone’s bags up top. I didn’t hit the height requirement. I felt it was a stable career at the airport and to have flight privileges.
2. What are some of the things that you do to keep your skills sharp? I am a been proponent in investing in yourself. I’m always taking courses, writing classes, or going to conferences because I always want to be learning. I feel like we can’t be creative if we’re not putting ourselves in the spaces to create and hear from others as well.
3. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? The best advice I’ve received is don’t be ambivalent about your career. I think it’s important and it’s always served me well because we’ve worked so hard to get to where we are and we shouldn’t want to lean out.
4. What is something that you love to do that some people may be surprised by? This is an exclusive that many people do not know at all…when I have the time I like to rent out a studio and I like to go rap. I like to spit bars in the booth. It’s a way for me to be creative again and I love music. I love rap lyrics and grits.
5. What is one book that has impacted your life? There’s so many. I know it sounds cliche but I would say the Bible. I grew up going to church but I didn’t start to dig in and find out what the truth meant for me until later in life. It really helps me figure out my advocacy. Jesus was an advocate for the folks in the streets and once I figured out my role and my purpose I realized my mission was to use my mouth and microphone as a truth teller for those who may not feel comfortable telling the truth in the workplace. It really helped give me agency in a way that I hadn’t looked at it before.

You can watch the full video of this conversation here:

How to stay connected to Minda Harts:

Website: Mindaharts.com

LinkedIn: Minda Harts

Preorder Talk To Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages For A Better Workplace here.