A Brilliant Gamble

Episode 14: Trust and Distrust - The Responsibility of Business

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Punks in Suits podcast I reflect on the concept of Trust, in the light of the publication of the 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer (an annual, global survey of levels of trust in the 4 major institutions of goverment, media, business and NGOs) and the first week of President Trump. Trust is in crisis. 67% of Trump voters describe themselves as "fearful". The pace of innovation, globalisation, corruption and erosion of social values are cited as some of the main reasons people feel distrust. And all attention for fixing this is turned on government and the media. But business shares some responsiblity for creating the mess and therefore some of the responsibility to clear it up. How people feel about their work (if they even have work), and the behaviour of senior leaders, CEOs and Boards affects how trusting they are generally. Business cannot simply promote innovation and disregard the impact this has on those that get left behind. Business cannot simply treat people like disposable cogs in a wheel and then claim it's not their business when people feel social values are eroding. I have also written a short piece about this on LinkedIn if you follow me there. Please feel free to share this podcast, comment, review and start a conversation. What is the part business plays in repairing the state of trust? Twitter: @blairepalmer Instagram: @blairelyspalmer Email: blaire@thatpeoplething.com

Episode Notes

In this episode of the Punks in Suits podcast I reflect on the concept of Trust, in the light of the publication of the 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer (an annual, global survey of levels of trust in the 4 major institutions of goverment, media, business and NGOs) and the first week of President Trump. Trust is in crisis. 67% of Trump voters describe themselves as "fearful". The pace of innovation, globalisation, corruption and erosion of social values are cited as some of the main reasons people feel distrust. And all attention for fixing this is turned on government and the media. But business shares some responsiblity for creating the mess and therefore some of the responsibility to clear it up. How people feel about their work (if they even have work), and the behaviour of senior leaders, CEOs and Boards affects how trusting they are generally. Business cannot simply promote innovation and disregard the impact this has on those that get left behind. Business cannot simply treat people like disposable cogs in a wheel and then claim it's not their business when people feel social values are eroding. I have also written a short piece about this on LinkedIn if you follow me there. Please feel free to share this podcast, comment, review and start a conversation. What is the part business plays in repairing the state of trust? Twitter: @blairepalmer Instagram: @blairelyspalmer Email: blaire@thatpeoplething.com