A reason to distrust: Our corporate and political leaders are letting us down

BY PAWAN LUTHRA

2020 has started from where last year left o – with a trust de cit in those who lead, both in politics and corporate life.

But what is trust de cit? Simply speaking, it is the inability to have reliance on, or con dence in, a relationship or an organisation or an institution.

As an example, the nancial planning industry took a hit on the trust factor when reports of misdeeds came out in the Hayne Royal Commission last year, the after-e ects still making headlines. People remain wary of the banks: a Deloitte Trust Index-Banking report released last year con rmed that more than half surveyed saw a trust de cit in the ethics of senior management of the banks. The banks were looking at short-term pro ts, whereas people were looking for relationship and a feeling of community. The report pointed out that customers want to be shown respect, want banks to listen to their gripes, to admit mistakes, and to be open and honest.

And the same can be said of our politicians. Nationally, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has to work hard to win back the trust and con dence of the Australian people after his initial mishandling of the bush re disasters. From his Hawaii holidays to laying the blame on the states, the public was clearly unimpressed. The daggy-dad-from-theburbs persona was quickly replaced by a bumbling leader who could not take control while the national burned – literally. Much to his credit, the PM has been a man of action in the last two to three weeks, with the mobilisation of the army reservists to help in the relief e orts and the quick allocation of resources to those most e ected. With two-plus years to go to the next election, he does have time to narrow that trust de cit.

Internationally, there is a trust de cit in the ongoing shenanigans of the US President Donald Trump. With the impeachment trial still on, the truth is being divided along party lines. Evidence that’s emerging which could make it di cult for Trump, is being held back by those in his own party. Truth be damned, it is survival at any cost.

The reality revealed by both contemporary US politics and our own, is that the broken moral compass needs xing. Faith in politicians is steadily eroding: honesty and morality, two important pillars in the trust factor are non-existent.

The silver lining to it all, and there de nitely is one, comes from regular folk. The outpouring of community support during the recent bush res was wonderfully heartening and truly uplifting. Whether contributing nancially, knitting pouches for the animals, donating lled backpacks for schoolkids, or sending food and clothing, coming out loud and clear was a great spirit of sharing and trust. No de cit here; instead, a surplus – and an opportunity for the corporates and politicians to learn from the ‘quiet Australians’.