Why Trust Matters More in 2026

Trust isn’t what it used to be. According to a year-end survey by Gallup, Americans are in a gloomy mood about elected leaders, pretty much across the board, concerned as they are about the economy, the rapid pace of technological change, and more. 

That sense of distrust has crept into the workplace: According to PwC’s recent Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2025, only about half of workers say they trust top leadership, and fewer say that top management cares about their well-being. 

The important takeaway for association leaders is that trust and engagement are correlated: According to the PwC survey, “workers with the highest amount of trust in top management are 63 percent more motivated than those who trust senior leaders the least.” Disengagement can spell less involvement in their professional development, lower engagement with their association—and other factors that can have a potentially negative impact on your bottom line.

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