The asset we leave unprotected

Imagine constructing a bank with no vault, just open doors and windows everywhere. Who would ever build this way, or suggest that it’s a good idea? The idea of working hard to amass assets and then leaving them unprotected is nonsensical.

But this is how we build all kinds of organizations today. And the asset we’re stockpiling and then leaving open to theft is trust.

We see trust as something vague or aspirational. But as I discuss at length in my new book, trust has real value. It powers the growth of companies and undergirds societal strength. It can be gained, lost, and worst of all stolen. When organizations fail to safeguard it, they damage not just themselves but everything – and everyone – around them.

We’ve been operating as if this isn’t true for a long time, and the results are in across the board. In the U.S.:

• Trust in government has fallen from 77% in 1964 to just 22% today. 

• Confidence in big business went from 30% in 1999 to a record low of 16% in 2024.

• In 1976, 61% of Americans “expressed a great deal of confidence in “the people running” medicine” By 2021, that number had fallen to 38%. 

• Trust in news media fell from 72% in the 1970s to 28% in 2025.

• Trust in organized religion went from 60% in 2001 to 32% in 2024.

• Confidence in public schools fell from 58% in 1973 to 32% in 2021. 

• And confidence in banks dropped from 60% in 1979 to 33% in 2021.

On an everyday level, we can all come up with companies that have broken our trust by cutting corners or destroying a product or experience we loved for the sake of profit and shareholder value. The sad truth is that most people can’t even imagine living in a world where these constant betrayals aren’t the norm. Not only that, but all of these “little” broken promises pave the way for kinds of corruption that cause far greater damage. (There are huge social and political implications, as this paper on why democracies are more prone to mistrust than autocracies discusses).

It’s very hard to retrofit organizations for trust, though. If you haven’t left any space for a secure vault, finding the floor space to install it is tricky. But it’s not impossible, as Incorruptible lays out. These same tools and mechanisms can be used to build organizations that protect what makes them valuable from the start. In turn these companies will help build a better world for everyone. 

BONUS OFFERS

Preorder a Limited Time Only Bundle and get immediate book access

If you’re too excited about Incorruptible to wait until the on-sale date to read it, I’ve gotten permission from my publisher to share the e-book version with a select group of readers right now. 

Both of the book bundles below also include a PDF of Incorruptible you’ll be able to download immediately. 

1. Buy two copies of Incorruptible plus a bonus e-book for $50. → Get the $50 bundle here

OR

2. Get four copies of Incorruptible, plus a collector’s edition printed copy of The Leader's Guide, plus a bonus e-book for $99.  → Get the $99 bundle here

The Leader's Guide is my practical handbook for adopting Lean Startup at scale, and it’s not available in print anywhere other than this special offer. 

Note: These bundles are only for US delivery.

Preorder Bonuses

After you purchase, you’ll be able to claim these 5 bonuses.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lunch with Purpose

Friday, April 10 at 1-2 PM PT, Virtual

Join us for free 

I write about the Purpose Pledge in Incorruptible as a fantastic example of the kind of mechanism we need to help companies stay true to their values and mission as they become profitable and continue to grow that success. (You can read about the companies that have already signed on here).

In this conversation with Kevin Bayuk, worker-owner of LIFT Economy, we’ll explore what it takes for organizations to grow, prosper, and endure without compromising their core purpose and how these ideas connect to the work of Purpose Pledge.

Morganstern Bookstore in Bloomington, Indiana

Tuesday, April 14 at 4-5pm PT

Attend this in-person event for free if you’re in the Bloomington, Indiana area.

Supporting independent bookstores has been an important part of the Incorruptible book release. I’m virtually joining an in-person discussion of Incorruptible taking place at  Morganstern Books, in partnership with The Ivy Tech Community College, the Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship, and the South Central Indiana Small Business Development Center. 

Interintellect Super Salon

Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00-6:30pm PT, Virtual

Join us here

I’ll be joining Anna Gát, the founder and CEO of Interintellect, for a facilitated conversation about Incorruptible. The virtual salon format allows event attendees to be active participants in the discussion. 

We have many more events coming up, so stay tuned in this newsletter.

Thanks,

Eric