Trust is the foundation of any personal or professional relationship. Trust in government, major institutions, big business, non-government organizations and the media has been consistently eroding for years. But trust is imperative for resolving conflict and building consensus. Here you can find our viewpoints, musings, and curated content about this critically important topic of (re)building trust, particularly as it relates to trust in government and institutions. Topics range from why people don’t trust to how we can help to rebuild trust. These handpicked articles seek to educate and illuminate. We look forward to hearing what you think.
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Edelman is a global communication firm that has tracked trends in public trust for the past 20 years. Their annual trust barometer measures public trust around four institutions: big business, media, non-governmental organization and government. Their data and analysis has been a goldmine for informing the work that we do ...
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As a believer in simplicity (whenever possible), I’m always interested in finding better ways to explain seemingly complex concepts with the clearest, fewest and most understandable words. That means putting it into context and making it relevant – how can you beat two beers and a puppy?
As the credibility of public institutions and leadership continues to erode it’s easy for people who work in those institutions to descend into a pit of despair and believe that there’s no way out of this mess – but there is. Rebuilding trust and credibility starts with acting and operating ...
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Government is less mistrusted now than it was three months ago. I wouldn’t celebrate too hard just yet but public trust in institutions is shifting as we speak. In many countries, it appears that governments’ response to the pandemic has changed attitudes about its competence, and favorably so. Read more...
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Propaganda, misinformation, deception and lies may be some of the most defining issues of our time. Political spin certainly isn’t new, but how it’s been weaponized and the media that is now available to spread and grow it is beyond anything we’ve seen before. Someone recently said that 2020 will ...
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It feels like a perfect storm. Politics is more broken right now than at any time in recent history, race relations are at a new low, the credibility of authorities and leaders is questionable and the only consistent information that we get is consistently “walked back”. Some of our best ...
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If you’re fortunate enough to still be working as the economic fallout from the pandemic continues to evolve, you may find yourself in a position of delivering, or advising on how to deliver, less than great news to your peers or the public in coming weeks. If you find yourself ...
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The inconsistent government response and multiple talking heads haven’t done a great job to help any of us find comfort in the facts, issues and risks of COVID-19. Edelman’s special trust barometer lays out what’s worked, what hasn’t and what to do from here. Read More …...
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I struggled with how to start this newsletter but I’ve been thinking about Allen Saunders’ quote (often attributed to John Lennon): “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” Prescient, considering Lennon’s murder and appropriate now with COVID-19, our new Pearl Harbor or 911. I guess ...
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Government, as the least trusted, is in the most precarious shape of all institutions … but there are opportunities to consider. Read More …
And, as long as we’re on the subject, consider this recent synopsis from Edelman on the current paradox of trust in the U.S. even ...
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