"When nearly 70% of people believe business leaders intentionally mislead the public, credibility and trust, not marketing, has become the new currency. We are leading in an era when silence is interpreted as indifference and visibility is mistaken for vanity. That tension has paralyzed many executives who want to do the right thing but do not want to appear self-promotional."
"Many leaders still assume that the company should speak for them. That used to work when audiences trusted corporations implicitly. Today, people look for the human behind the logo. According to Edelman's 2025 Trust Barometer, business remains the most trusted institution, yet that trust is now tied directly to individual leaders. Visibility is not about ego. It is about accountability. When you put your name to your mission, it tells employees and customers that you believe enough in the work to represent it personally."
Trust in leaders has eroded; nearly 70% believe business leaders mislead the public, making credibility the new currency. Silence is often read as indifference; visibility can be mistaken for vanity. Leaders should stand beside their companies and take personal accountability, because trust in business is now tied to individual leaders. Small, consistent actions—such as a weekly LinkedIn post sharing lessons, tough calls, or mistakes—build authenticity. Visibility clarifies purpose rather than promoting ego. Rebuilding trust requires internal shifts, courage, and consistency rather than large budgets.
Read at Fast Company
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