New Research: People Are Done Waiting for Things to Change
For 25 years, the Edelman Trust Barometer has given us an annual temperature check on how much faith people have in institutions. This year’s results are ice cold.
The new research paints a bleak picture:
61 percent of people globally feel a moderate or severe grievance toward business, government, media, and NGOs.
Trust inequality is growing—high-income individuals are 16 points more likely to trust institutions than low-income individuals.
And while trust in media and government continues its downward spiral, business remains the last institution standing. Not because people think corporations are perfect, but because they see business as the only institution both competent and ethical—mostly.
We’re in the "Era of the Billionaire,” where people watch the ultra-rich get wealthier, while everyone else struggles with traditional markers of economic mobility, like buying a home. Is it any surprise that people are frustrated, and willing to vote for anyone who can shake up the system? People don’t believe the system will ever work for them.
The frustration isn’t just showing up at the ballot box. According to the Trust Barometer, more than 50 percent of young people now approve of hostile activism—including online attacks, property damage, and even violence—as a means to force change.
So what can leaders do about it?
For business leaders, this isn’t just a moment in time to weather—it’s a call to action. The old models won’t work anymore. We need to rethink the fundamentals of what leadership, work—and capitalism—look like in a world where institutional trust is crumbling.
These are systemic issues that will take a lot of creative thinking, and a lot of cooperation from government and the private sector. But every individual leader can still do their part. Here are a few small ways:
Talk like a human. People don’t trust corporate-speak. Be real and transparent in all your communications, and don’t dance around the truth.
Take care of your people, loudly and proudly. People want to know that their leaders care about them on a human level, and they want to see your actions match your words.
Get back to your core purpose. Not some lofty corporate statement, but really why you exist. If your answer is just to make money, that’s not good enough. As the data shows, people want to know you’re actively working to make the world better.
Reimagine everything. One thing is clear: we need new models for how society works—ones that prioritize adaptability, accountability, and real positive impact. Starting with your team and why you do what you do in the first place is a great start.
The next generation is asking for us to think bigger about how quickly we can adapt. And they’re done waiting for us to catch up.
