One Glimpse Can Cost You Everything

Every single day, people catch glimpses of us. 

And whether we like it or not, those moments are shaping what others believe about us. How we drive our car, how we treat the worker at Taco Bell, how we handle difficult conversations, and how we recognize others signal to people who we are and what we stand for.

Doors open or close for each of us based on the glimpses.

I want you to make your glimpses count.

The Cost of the Glimpse: When Leaders Forget People Are Watching

We’ve all had that moment where we didn’t show up as our best self and when we thought, “I shouldn’t have said that” or “That wasn’t me at my best.” Sometimes those glimpses pass quietly. Other times, they cost us trust, credibility, and more than we ever imagined.

Andy Byron, the CEO of Astronomer, found himself on the stadium jumbotron during a Coldplay concert embracing his head of HR, Kristin Cabot. Both were placed on leave, and Byron resigned shortly afterward. Witnesses called it “ColdplayGate.” That viral moment cost him more than his job. It shattered credibility overnight.

Scott Thompson, former CEO of Yahoo, claimed a computer science degree on his resume he never earned. Once the lie surfaced, trust evaporated fast, the board had him out, and the brand took a lasting reputational hit.

Elizabeth Holmes, the face of Theranos, built a narrative of breakthrough tech. But whistleblowers and lab revelations peeked behind the curtain and once people caught the real story, her credibility collapsed completely.

John Schnatter, founder of Papa John’s, made racially insensitive remarks on a conference call. The audio leaked. He was forced out. Stadium naming rights were revoked. The brand plummeted.

Justine Sacco tweeted what she thought was satire before flying to Africa. By the time she landed, her post had gone viral. She lost her job, and trust, before she ever unpacked her luggage.

Ellen DeGeneres built a brand around kindness and joy. But allegations from former employees told a different story. Once the gap between image and experience leaked out, the show was canceled and fans felt betrayed.

These are not stories of bad people. 

They are reminders that one glimpse, one moment where you stop paying attention to how you’re showing up, can undo years of hard-earned credibility. 

Most of these leaders weren’t taken down by years of bad behavior. They were taken down by one moment the world wasn’t willing to forget. This isn’t about judgment. It’s about owning your impact. 

Every glimpse is a trust test. And when the glimpse contradicts your character, trust breaks faster than it can be rebuilt.

TRUST TAKEAWAY

You’re not who you say you are. You’re who people see when they think you’re not paying attention.

You can have the slickest mission statement in the world, but people trust what they see, not what you say. They notice how you talk to the intern, how you treat the waitstaff, the look on your face when someone challenges you in a meeting. That’s the stuff that sticks.

We all like to believe our intentions matter most. But in leadership? It’s the glimpses that make or break you. Because people don’t follow a title. They follow what feels real. And the truth is, there’s no such thing as being off the clock when it comes to trust.

YOUR TRUST CHALLENGE

Pick one glimpse to manage better this week.

Your team doesn’t judge your values by your speeches. They judge you by the glimpses they catch in everyday moments. Choose one of these glimpses to be more intentional about:

• What you post online
• How you treat the intern vs. an executive leader
• The tone and timing of your emails
• How you respond when someone makes a mistake
• Whether you respect people’s time or make excuses
• What your body language says when others are speaking
• How you act in 1:1s when there’s no audience
• How you treat people who can’t do anything for you

Pick one. Then ask yourself all week:

What glimpse am I giving people and is it earning or eroding trust?

The glimpses are your brand.

WHAT’S YOUR TRUST SCORE?

Trust changes everything: your influence, your income, your inner peace.

In less than five minutes, get your personalized Trust Architect Score:

✔️ How well you build trust with yourself

✔️ How well you build trust with others

✔️ How you repair trust once it’s been broken

No fluff. Just your Trust Score—delivered instantly and steps on what to do next.

👉 Take the free assessment now: www.mytrustaudit.com

WATCH JUSTIN IN ACTION

Justin Patton is a trust keynote speaker, leadership coach, and founder of The Trust Architect Group. Through his trademark motto Trust Starts Here™, Justin helps leaders build trust in themselves, with others, and across their culture — so they keep people coming back for more. Learn more at www.justinpatton.com.