The Mike Horne Blog

As the season starts in Palm Springs, signs of growth are everywhere, from the citrus trees loaded with new fruit to the eager anticipation of the upcoming harvest. One of my favorite things to watch on early morning walks is seeing expensive cars being unloaded and moved into the upscale neighborhoods along California Highway 74. This season clearly brings up themes of endings, transitions, and growth for me. For this article, I'll focus on aspects of growth related to successful leadership and transition.

Change is all around us, shaping the way we live, work, and lead. Technology is advancing at breakneck speed, teams are reinventing themselves, and our conversations about purpose, performance, and meaning continue to evolve. It’s a challenging time to be a leader.

Trust is the invisible thread that holds organizations together. When it is strong, teams innovate, collaborate, and succeed. When it weakens, productivity drops, engagement falls, and top talent leaves. Now, in October 2025, leaders are facing a trust deficit that has never felt more potent due to ongoing hybrid work models, rapid technological changes, and persistent social and economic uncertainty. Rebuilding and maintaining trust is no longer just a soft skill; it has become the most crucial leadership competency of our time.