Study: As trust sags, employees and the public want CEOs to step up
In Edelman research, three-quarters of respondents want top execs at the vanguard of social responsibility efforts—but how effectively are those honchos taking up that mantle?
People trust their employers more than government officials or journalists, research reveals.
That means business leaders can and should assume the reins of leadership.
Globally, 75 percent of people trust “my employer” to do what is right, significantly more than non-government organizations (57 percent), business (56 percent) and media (47 percent), according to the 2019 Edelman Trust Barometer.
The statistical discrepancy between “my employer” (75 percent) and “business” (56 percent) is startling. Also quite shocking is that non-government organizations (57 percent)—that is, nonprofits—are statistically the same as “business.” One might think the public would have much greater trust in not-for-profit organizations whose mission is to improve health, welfare and education.
A shift in focus
To gain public trust, all types of organizations must create policies and make decisions clearly aimed at improving society, rather than solely for the benefit of stockholders or the financial community.
Making more trustworthy and more socially responsible decisions starts with the CEO.
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