The trust gap: Why rising insularity matters for business
Tue Feb 03 2026
Richard Edelman, CEO of global communications firm Edelman breaks down the key findings of the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, exploring how insularity—the theme of this year’s report—is impacting workplaces, consumer behaviour and economic sentiment. He shares why trust has become the "ultimate currency" for institutions, the risks posed by declining confidence in institutions, and how trust brokering can help leaders bridge divides and strengthen organisational resilience.
Chapters
(00:00:00) - Richard's experience at Davos(00:01:10) - Trust as the ultimate currency(00:02:35) - Edelman Trust Barometer: Origins and trends(00:05:55) - Trust amid insularity(00:07:47) - How insularity is impacting business(00:11:31) - Trust brokering in the workplace(00:18:20) - Role of CEOs
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Richard Edelman, CEO of global communications firm Edelman breaks down the key findings of the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, exploring how insularity—the theme of this year’s report—is impacting workplaces, consumer behaviour and economic sentiment. He shares why trust has become the "ultimate currency" for institutions, the risks posed by declining confidence in institutions, and how trust brokering can help leaders bridge divides and strengthen organisational resilience. Chapters (00:00:00) - Richard's experience at Davos(00:01:10) - Trust as the ultimate currency(00:02:35) - Edelman Trust Barometer: Origins and trends(00:05:55) - Trust amid insularity(00:07:47) - How insularity is impacting business(00:11:31) - Trust brokering in the workplace(00:18:20) - Role of CEOs