There is no better a remedy than walking the floor. I have read recently of a UK boss (Marks & Spencer I think) encouraging others to walk the floor. If you ask the people at the 'coal face' they will tell you - especially if there is no HR around! Yes, some workers will try to pull the wool over your eyes - but only a few. If you ask enough people, you will find out what is happening.
As we all know, Boeing moved their production facility to another state to gain cash from the state and city. BUT it removed the 'big boys' from the men who do the real work. I have seen how, when a man is promoted to have the word 'director' or even a larger word, on the door of his private office - that he forgets how he used to pull the wool over the eyes of those above him.