EQV Trust Diagnostic
EQV Framework  ·  Diagnostic Instrument

Trust
Diagnostic

Multi-Rater Assessment  |  21 Items  |  Three Trust Planes
Esse Quam Videri — To Be Rather Than to Seem
Progress
0%
About This Diagnostic

Trust Is Structural — This Diagnostic Proves It

The EQV Trust Diagnostic maps organizational trust across three distinct planes. Most leaders manage only one or two of them, leaving the rest invisible until something breaks. This diagnostic gives you a comprehensive view of your trust portfolio — where it's strong, where it's fragile, and where a breakdown is most likely to create serious risk.

Rate each statement based on what you actually observe and experience, not what you hope or believe should be true. Candid responses produce the most actionable results. All data is confidential and reported in aggregate only.

01 Vertical Trust — Between individuals & leadership
02 Horizontal Trust — Between peers & across functions
03 Institutional Trust — In the organization’s systems & values
Rating Scale
1Strongly
Disagree
2Disagree
3Neutral
4Agree
5Strongly
Agree
Rate what you observe, not what you wish.
Plane 01
Vertical Trust
Measures trust between individual contributors and leadership. Are people confident that leaders are competent, consistent, and genuinely invested in their team’s success — not just in outcomes?
1
I trust that the leaders in this organization are genuinely competent at what they do.
2
Leaders in this organization follow through consistently on what they say they will do.
3
I believe that leadership makes decisions with the team’s best interests genuinely in mind, not just organizational outcomes.
4
Leaders are transparent about the reasoning behind significant decisions, even when those decisions are difficult.
5
I feel comfortable bringing real problems and concerns to my direct leader without fear of negative consequences.
6
Leadership behavior in this organization is consistent regardless of who is in the room or who is watching.
7
Leadership in this organization genuinely advocates for the team’s needs, resources, and recognition.
Plane 02
Horizontal Trust
Measures trust between peers and across functions. Are teams willing to be genuinely interdependent, or are silos and self-protection the symptom of distrust that has never been addressed?
8
I trust my peers on this team to follow through on their commitments without constant follow-up.
9
Teams and departments in this organization actively share information rather than protecting it as a source of power.
10
When cross-functional conflicts arise, they are resolved directly and respectfully rather than escalated or avoided.
11
I can rely on colleagues in other teams or departments to deliver quality work that my own work depends on.
12
People on this team assume positive intent from peers when something goes wrong, rather than defaulting to blame.
13
Collaboration across teams in this organization feels genuine — not politically managed or territory-driven.
14
I feel comfortable asking peers for help or admitting gaps in my knowledge without concern for how it will be perceived.
Plane 03
Institutional Trust
Measures trust in the organization itself — its systems, processes, and stated values. Do people believe the organization as an entity operates with integrity, fairness, and authentic alignment between what it says and what it does?
15
This organization’s stated values are genuinely reflected in how it operates day to day — not just on the website.
16
The systems and processes in this organization (hiring, performance reviews, promotions) operate fairly and consistently.
17
I trust that this organization will treat me fairly if I raise a concern, make a mistake, or face a personal challenge.
18
Communication from organizational leadership is honest, timely, and clear — not sanitized or strategically withheld.
19
This organization’s stated commitments to its people (culture, development, wellbeing) are backed by real investment and action.
20
Accountability in this organization is applied consistently — regardless of seniority or political standing.
21
I would recommend this organization as a trustworthy place to work to someone whose career I genuinely care about.
Qualitative Reflection

Open Response

Optional but strongly encouraged. Context that scores alone cannot capture.

1. Which of the three trust planes — vertical, horizontal, or institutional — feels most fragile in this organization, and why?

2. Describe a moment or pattern that eroded your trust in this organization — and whether it was repaired.

3. What would this organization need to do differently in the next 90 days to meaningfully increase your trust?

Your Scores

Scores update as you complete each plane. Submit when all 21 items are answered.

Vertical Trust—
Horizontal Trust—
Institutional Trust—
Overall Trust Score—

Diagnostic Submitted

Thank you. Your responses will be compiled into your EQV Trust Profile.
Your facilitator will deliver the full report and action plan.

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