The manager–employee social contract is broken. For decades, trust has eroded as workplaces shifted from caretaking managers and stable career paths to layoffs, cost-cutting, and “at-will” employment. Employees expect fair pay, growth, support, and respect, while managers and companies demand results, reliability, and alignment. When those expectations aren’t clear or met, both sides feel betrayed.

In this episode, we dig into:

• The history of the old manager–employee social contract and why it no longer works
• How trust has been eroded by decades of layoffs, outsourcing, and shareholder-first practices
• Why transparency, flexibility, and psychological safety must be part of the new deal
• What a rewritten social contract could look like for today’s workforce
• The shift from command-and-control management to leaders who inspire people and manage work

👉 What’s in it for you: If you’re a manager, leader, or emerging leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you show up for your people, and why rewriting the social contract isn’t optional if you want to build trust, engagement, and long-term success.

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