Business credibility is in the tank. Results of a recent Pew Research survey depict a society-wide erosion of trust — especially for business leaders and elected officials. Only 46% of adults categorized as “medium trusters” (respondents were divided into low, medium, and high “trusters”) had “a great deal” or “fair amount of confidence” that business leaders would “act in the best interests of the public.” For a group that wants to sell to everyone, these poll numbers are a disaster.

By contrast, over 80% of “medium trusters” trust scientists, the military, police officers, and public school principals. Out of all the leadership groups studied, respondents expressed the second-lowest confidence in business leaders; only elected officials scored lower (they had the confidence of 39% of “medium trusters”). Even with the rise of “fake news,” journalists beat out business leaders by double-digits.