In the Lead Marks 10th Edition with Spotlight on Trust in Leadership

Seton Hall University’s In the Lead magazine has reached a landmark moment with the release of its 10th edition, dedicated to a theme that is both timeless and timely: Trust in Leadership.

Launched in 2021 with the goal of standardizing leadership knowledge, the publication has consistently featured insights from practitioners, scholars and students on what it means to lead with vision and integrity. Over the years, themes have spanned innovation, disruption, team performance and the future of work. This special edition turns its focus to the cornerstone of all leadership effectiveness: trust.

“At its core, trust is built on competence, integrity, and empathy,” said Ruchin Kansal, MBA, founding editor of In the Lead. “Future leaders expect trust to be present in every relationship — and that gives me hope for a future where leaders internalize the truth that you are only a leader if someone chooses to follow you.”

The 10th edition examines trust across multiple dimensions: from its classic foundations of ethics, accountability, and transparency to its evolving role in a world shaped by artificial intelligence and automation. Contributors include military experts, business leaders and Seton Hall alumni whose stories reflect how trust is won, lost and rebuilt in critical moments.

Highlights from the issue include:

Buy-in Boom (Leadership Lessons)
From crisis to growth: How involving employees helped a dealership thrive during industry-wide disruption.
By Dave Garrison, M.B.A.

In Focus with Kaylyn Sanbower ’15
Alumna Kaylyn Sanbower, economist at the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice, reflects on building trust as an economist at the U.S. Department of Justice.

An Ethical Foundation
Ethics and fiduciary duty are the foundation of trust in real estate.
By Mary Tunny Weichert

The Invisible Glue
Cultivating authentic connections and consistent leadership.
By Ashish Gupta

Beyond the Code
Trust is the linchpin of human-robot teaming in modern warfare.
By Ericka Rovira

In the Lead with Jess Rauchberg
In this issue, we spoke with Jess Rauchberg, assistant professor and digital media scholar, who discusses how leadership and trust function in both traditional workplaces and the creator economy.

The Trust Imperative: Next Generation Evidence for Leadership Effectiveness
Key findings of the 2025 Future of Leadership Survey
By Ruchin Kansal, M.B.A., Karen Boroff, Ph.D., and Anthony Caputo, M.A.

Building Bulletproof Trust (In the Crucible)
Cultivating unbreakable trust from the battlefield to the boardroom.
By Bryan C. Price

When Trust Is in Your Hands (Case Study)
Trust is a priceless commodity requiring a committed investment.
By Cindy McGovern

A Looming Threat to Business (Point | Counterpoint)
Trust is no longer optional — it’s essential for navigating business, technology and institutional uncertainty today.
Reviewed by Paula Alexander and Stephen Wood

With its 10th edition, In the Lead continues its mission to provide accessible, real-world insights for students, professionals and leaders navigating a rapidly changing landscape.

The full issue is available here.

In the Lead magazine is a collaboration between the Buccino Leadership Institute and the Stillman School of Business’s Department of Management. This edition reaffirms Seton Hall’s commitment to fostering innovative, ethical and impactful leadership. Stay ahead of the curve — explore the Fall 2025 issue of In the Lead.

Categories: Arts and Culture, Business