Trust, Leadership and Optimism: Robert Masters AM and Victor Perton in Conversation

About this episode

Victor Perton and Robert Masters AM discuss the importance of trust and optimism in leadership during uncertain times.

In this episode of That Optimism Man, Victor Perton is joined by Robert Masters AM, one of the world’s leading experts on leadership, trust, and crisis communication, and co-author of The Optimism Principle. Set against a global backdrop of declining trust and optimism, highlighted by the Edelman Trust Barometer, this conversation explores what leadership demands in uncertain times. Victor and Robert examine how trust is built and rebuilt, and why optimism is not naïve hope, but a realistic, disciplined, and strategic leadership capability. As Robert explains: “Trust is built on three things: consistency, respect, and vulnerability.” Drawing on decades of experience advising prime ministers, CEOs, and organisations through crises, Robert shares practical insights into truthful communication, visible leadership, and restoring confidence under pressure. He makes clear that optimism is not optional in hard moments: “In times of crisis, optimism becomes an essential part of the planning process.” Throughout the conversation, optimism is framed as realism and responsibility, not denial: “Optimism is a responsible way of facing reality and working toward a positive outcome.” The…

People in this episode

Host: Victor Perton

Guest: Robert Masters AM

Topics covered

• leadership
• trust
• optimism
• crisis communication
• human side of leadership

Keywords

• leadership
• trust
• optimism
• crisis
• communication
• vulnerability
• confidence

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Edelman Trust Barometer

Books & works: The Optimism Principle

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