5 Things / Trust
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This week I attended the 2023 Edelman Trust Barometer Executive Insights event. The Trust Barometer is an annual global trust and credibility study that measures trust across society. I’ve used their data in my work over the years so I was surprised to learn this year that the business was named as the most trusted institution. Business is trusted more than non-governmental organizations, the media, and the government – and the only of those institutions rated both ethical and competent. 55% of Americans trust businesses. And while this isn’t a large majority, overall, trust has increased across all demographics.
The study also revealed that while economic anxieties, a class divide, and the spread of misinformation have led to increased polarization, the place people feel safest to talk about societal issues is the workplace. Why? Because they generally expect people to behave. Very interesting. Has that been your experience?
The Trust Barometer also reveals that over 60% of your customers and employees are asking businesses to take a stand on societal issues. I believe this is good vibes indeed – the opportunity here for businesses to build upon this already growing trust can be transformative for any organization.
Here are the other good vibes I found this week:
2. ASL Performer Justina Miles Stole the Show at Super Bowl Lvii
Justina Miles, a deaf American Sign Language interpreter, signed lyrics during Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime show performance, as well as during the Black National Anthem sung by Sheryl Lee Ralph. But Justina didn’t just sign those lyrics, she performed them, and went viral for it! This matters because Justina Miles embodies Black joy and deaf joy – she’s fully self-expressed and it’s a beautiful, inspirational thing to witness.
3. Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair
Dove and LinkedIn are partnering to promote the passage of the CROWN Act, with a goal to end natural hair bias and discrimination. The companies commissioned a study which revealed that Black hair was 2.5x more likely to be perceived as “unprofessional” – and over 20% of GenZ and Millennial Black women have been sent home from work because of their hair. The CROWN Act aims to fix that through legislation banning discrimination on the basis of natural hair (locs, braids, twists, etc). Currently, 20 states have passed this law. The Dove/LinkedIn partnership includes access to LinkedIn learning courses, a #BlackHairIsProfessional social campaign, and more.
4. Spain Approves Menstrual Leave, Teen Abortion and Trans Laws
Spain made the news this week for requiring paid menstrual leave for those suffering from severe pain. They became the first country in Europe with this law, though some individual companies specifically provide this as an existing benefit. This matters because periods can be debilitating for some people. Formalized policies can de-stigmatize this.
5. Spain Gives Final Approval to Law Making It Easier to Legally Change Gender
Spain also made the news for allowing transgender people to self-determine their identity and legally change their gender without a formal medical diagnosis. This matters because in many cases, it’s very difficult, time-consuming, vulnerable, and expensive to change one’s gender marker. The ability to have accurate legal paperwork without undue stress will allow transgender folks to feel safer moving through the world.
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