The Dialectics of Trust and Fear in Organizational Climate: Cycles of Light and Darkness
Chapter from the book: Mücevher, M. H. (ed.) 2026. Dualism in Organizational Behavior: The Tension and Interaction of Opposing Concepts – Volume 1.

Hatice Sabırlı
Istanbul Health and Social Sciences Vocational School

Synopsis

This chapter in the book examines the dialectical nature of organizational climate, starting from the premise that organizations are not merely mechanical structures but dynamic systems shaped by people's emotions and perceptions. The main focus of the study is the strategic tension between two opposing perspectives in organizational life: climates of trust and peace, and climates of fear and suspicion. The climate of peace represents the bright side, built on honesty, goodwill, and competence, and is seen as the embodiment of trust through psychological security. It emphasizes how this climate, when supported by principles such as merit-based management, open communication, and employee participation, transforms into a strategic structure that increases innovation, organizational commitment, and the speed of learning. The dark side, the climate of fear and suspicion fueled by injustice and uncertainty, is analyzed in detail. This destructive effect leads to chronic organizational silence, causing management to become detached from realities on the ground and resulting in strategic blindness within the organization. The study evaluates the small breaking points that pave the way for the shift from a climate of trust to one of fear, within the framework of institutional approaches such as threats and resource loss. The most important outcome of this chapter is the clear demonstration that a climate of fear is a structural risk factor that cripples not only individual well-being but also decision-making processes. Consequently, it is argued that organizations' ability to sustain their success depends on their capacity to recognize silence as a feedback mechanism, to establish meritocracy within the organization, and to build an institutional structure capable of managing trust.

How to cite this book

Sabırlı, H. (2026). The Dialectics of Trust and Fear in Organizational Climate: Cycles of Light and Darkness. In: Mücevher, M. H. (ed.), Dualism in Organizational Behavior: The Tension and Interaction of Opposing Concepts – Volume 1. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1228.c4945

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Published

March 18, 2026

DOI