Communicating in the Age of Grievance: Circle of Fellows #125

The 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer points to a concerning shift from polarization to grievance to insularity. Stakeholders are not only divided or frustrated; they are increasingly retreating into circles of “people like us” while viewing outsiders with skepticism. In this Circle of Fellows conversation, panelists will explore the strategic and practical implications of this environment. Employees are placing greater trust in their CEOs and neighbors than in external sources. Domestic companies are seen as more trustworthy than foreign competitors. At the same time, widening income gaps are deepening distrust across organizational levels.

The Fellows will discuss how communication professionals can serve as trust brokers within their organizations, helping bridge the gap between executive leadership, front-line employees and diverse stakeholder groups. The conversation will also examine generational differences in how people experience and express grievance, from Gen Alpha’s tendency toward external blame and politicized “whataboutism” to the growing importance of AI governance in building institutional credibility. This fast-paced discussion will offer practical frameworks to help communicators stay grounded and effective as insularity and grievance continue to shape today’s landscape.

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