The CEOs of Honest Company and NWSL on regaining trust from consumers—and employees

New leaders Carla Vernón of The Honest Company and Jessica Berman of the NWSL discuss navigating businesses in crisis. Both leaders inherited organizations facing significant public scrutiny and internal challenges. Berman emphasized the need for honesty and transparency with players to rebuild trust at the NWSL. As a labor lawyer, she understood the importance of a strong relationship between management and labor. Vernón at The Honest Company, facing financial issues and public doubt, found success by adopting a less corporate approach. She used the analogy of characters from the movie "Inside Out" to help employees process change, acknowledging their emotions as outsiders. Vernón also highlighted the "less is more" principle, focusing on core profitable aspects of the business. This strategy involved defining what the company would no longer do to better invest in its strengths. Both leaders underscored the difficulty but necessity of discipline and focus during turbulent times. Their experiences demonstrate that rebuilding trust requires vulnerability and a clear, redefined strategy.