According to the recently released 2021 Edelman Trust Barometer, societies around the globe are facing an epidemic of misinformation and widespread mistrust. For more than 20 years, the Edelman Trust Barometer has measured trust in businesses, government, NGOs, and the media. According to Executive Vice President Tamara Rodman, who leads Edelman’s Employee Experience Team, this year’s report is an urgent call for communicators to work with business leaders on maintaining and rebuilding trust.
Tamara is a frequent and favorite guest of EE Voice, bringing 20 years of experience in organizational communications, culture, leadership development, and employee engagement across a broad swath of industries. She points out that this moment in time presents an opportunity for executives and business leaders ― one that will require the deft and proactive guidance of internal communications professionals.
Her advice includes a warning to executives that staying silent on the crises of the moment – whether on racial justice, the pandemic’s impact, the future of the workplace, or vaccine hesitancy – leaves a void that employees themselves may fill with misinformation or negative talk about the company.
On the subject of vaccines, Tamara notes that while employers may not be public health experts, vaccinations are closely tied to our economic recovery. She provides a road map for communications experts and business leaders to “educate, enable and encourage” employee vaccination while reiterating that it is a personal choice.
Tune in to hear Tamara’s insights on these points as she reminds us that employees have the power to enact change and discusses employers’ challenges in a moment when their actions can build – or risk losing – the trust they’ve built.
