Employfluence: How Employee Voices Build Trust in a Distrustful World

sebastianaguilarve • April 6, 2025

Building Trsut in a Distrustful World

In an age where consumers can spot a sales pitch from a mile away, traditional advertising is losing its grip on people’s trust. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer, trust in institutions—governments, media, and even businesses—continues to decline. But amidst this growing skepticism, one voice consistently cuts through the noise: the voice of the employee.

The Trust Deficit Is Real

We live in a world overflowing with content. Flashy campaigns, influencer partnerships, and polished brand videos flood our feeds daily. But here’s the issue: people don’t trust them the way they used to. A growing number of consumers and potential hires, crave something more grounded, more honest, and more human.

That’s where employees come in.


When someone sees a behind-the-scenes look from a product manager, or a post from a customer service rep sharing their journey at a company, it doesn’t feel like marketing. It feels like truth. And that distinction is powerful.


People Trust People

Numerous studies have shown that people trust “people like me” more than CEOs, ads, or brand spokespeople. Employees, when empowered to speak authentically, become a company’s most credible messengers. Whether they're sharing their experience on LinkedIn, posting a day-in-the-life video, or commenting on industry trends, they’re building something ads can’t: trust by association.

This isn't about handing employees a script. It’s about giving them the tools and confidence to share their real stories.


Authenticity > Perfection

You don’t need perfect lighting or corporate-approved soundbites to make an impact. In fact, over-polished content can sometimes work against you. What cuts through today is sincerity. A quick phone-recorded video of an employee explaining how their team solved a real-world challenge can do more for your brand than a 30-second ad spot ever could.

Why? Because it feels real. And in a digital landscape full of filters, authenticity is the new currency.


The Employer Brand Multiplier

This isn’t just a feel-good strategy. It’s a smart one.

When employees share their voices, they not only humanize your brand, they extend its reach. Their networks become your new marketing channels. Their credibility becomes your competitive advantage. And their stories make your culture visible to clients, candidates, and partners in a way no job description or ad campaign ever could.


Let Employees Be the Trust-Builders

As the marketing world shifts toward transparency, relatability, and community-driven storytelling, the role of the employee becomes more central than ever. It’s time to stop seeing employee content as “nice to have” and start recognizing it for what it truly is: the future of trust-driven growth.

Because in a world where almost no one believes the ad, the most powerful words might just come from someone on your team.

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By Aguilar September 22, 2025
When it comes to employer branding and recruitment marketing, few names resonate as strongly as Stuart (Stu) Hazell . With over 15 years of experience, Hazell has consistently proven himself as a forward-thinking leader who blends creativity with data-driven impact to redefine how organizations connect with talent. A Career Spanning Global Powerhouses Hazell’s professional journey is a testament to his ability to thrive in both digital and traditional marketing. Having held key roles at CA Technologies, IBM, and Workday , he has built and strengthened employer brands that not only attract but also resonate with talent across diverse global markets. Each chapter of his career has deepened his understanding of how to align corporate identity with the values, aspirations, and expectations of the modern workforce. Strategic Creativity Meets Measurable Impact What sets Hazell apart is his ability to blend strategic creativity with data-driven precision . Employer branding isn’t just about eye-catching campaigns, it’s about creating an authentic, sustainable narrative that reflects company culture while also measuring its impact on talent pipelines and recruitment outcomes. His work bridges that gap, making employer brands both inspiring and effective. Recognition and Influence As an award-winning leader , Hazell has been celebrated for his innovation in employer branding and recruitment marketing. His achievements demonstrate a rare ability to stay ahead of trends, adopt emerging technologies, and bring fresh thinking to a discipline that is increasingly critical in today’s competitive talent landscape. Why His Work Matters Now In an era where candidates view the employer brand as seriously as they view consumer brands, Hazell’s contributions have never been more vital. Organizations are under pressure to stand out, communicate authentically, and deliver meaningful employee experiences. Leaders like Hazell are showing the path forward, where creativity and analytics meet to build brands that engage, attract, and retain talent worldwide. Conclusion : Stuart Hazell’s story is more than just a career biography, it’s an example of how visionary leadership in employer branding can shape the way companies and candidates connect on a global scale. To listen to the podcast click here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5m4o6LinFkdnjA8sNfhmUn?si=JjY5V_MyTqW9jGw2qjlMvg
By sebastianaguilarve July 23, 2025
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