How Leaders Can Address the Crisis of Trust
The Aspen Institute
We drive change to help solve the greatest challenges of our time.
Trust, perhaps above all else, is fundamental to a strong nation. When we lack trust—in institutions, information, and one another—our mutual connections and shared values collapse into short-sightedness. It is no way for a society to function.
For decades, there has been an alarming decline in trust among Americans. More than 60% of people believe it’s no longer possible to have civil debates about climate change, justice reform, or other critical issues.
To strengthen trust, we must repair the structures that allow it to flourish and look for ways to build new ones. This will require leaders with vision, energy, and moral courage—qualities that the Aspen Institute fosters through the daily work of our programs and initiatives.
This week, we kick off a six-part series on trust by highlighting a few ways the Institute is preparing leaders with the skills they need to rebuild—and reimagine—an interconnected, trusting society.?
Faith traditions can teach us a lot about healing societal divisions. The Aspen Global Leadership Network and the Religion and Society Program asked spiritual leaders Simran Jeet Singh, Rev. Jen Bailey, and Adam Taylor for advice on how to move past unhealthy conflict and ground ourselves in empathy.?
Key takeaways:???
领英推荐
Moving forward rarely happens without reaching across the aisle. The Socrates Program counters polarization by bringing together emerging leaders from a multitude of political viewpoints. In their seminar sessions, leaders are given the skills and motivation to approach one another with openness, bridging divides and strengthening American democracy. Read more.?
Want to Improve Trust? The Secret Is Listening?
At last year’s Resnick Aspen Action Forum, leaders from across the world gathered around the theme of collective leadership, exploring what is old and new about the divides of our current moment. In one session, Ana María Vallarino, a Central America Leadership Initiative fellow, and Ashley Bell, a Civil Society fellow, discussed why the first step to rebuilding trust is understanding the sources of distrust. This conversation and the rest are a treasure trove of resources for leaders.
There is a strong link between effective leadership and the state of public trust. Business, nonprofit, and government leaders have a platform—and therefore an obligation—to create space for meaningful, inclusive dialogue. Approaching trust as an effective leader means prioritizing alignment over agreement, encouraging support systems, and creating brave spaces. Read more tips here
Urban designer and urban planner specializing in city, state and regional development planning. ??? Architect as a catalyst in advancing the human story of vulnerable people. ?? Human Rights Defender ??
2 年Sounds like what a think tank would say. Neuroscience research has taught us that people working together to solve creative problems builds trust. It’s how to heal communities that have been impacted by wars and conflicts. Solving a creative challenge, building a well, tackling a problem together builds trust, in the process you ARE listening to each other and resolving tribalism.
Hannele Tiitto