Human connection Quote by Anne-Marie Slaughter
““Corporate anthropologist Karen Stephenson argues that though trust is the natural glue of human connection since prehistoric times, it is mostly absent in modern hierarchies—especially in government, where vertical silos compete with and undermine one another, often within the same bureaucracy.””
About This Quote
Trust historically binds people, but modern hierarchical structures, especially in government, often lack it due to competing silos and internal competition.
In simple terms: Trust used to be natural, now it’s missing in many organizations.
Build transparent, collaborative cultures to restore trust.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- public sector reform
- team building
- interdepartmental projects
- policy development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders encourage trust across competing units?
- What mechanisms can reduce silo competition?
Trust can be fragile and may be eroded by entrenched interests.