Just lead: 6 ways today's CEOs can meet the moment (axios.com)

This is Axios CEO Jim VandeHei's plan to help CEOs and other leaders navigate this moment. This call to action, which got a sneak peek over the weekend in his C-Suite newsletter, is a follow-up to our Monday column, " The Rattled Generation ." Watch Jim's video . Americans have lost faith in almost every binding institution and leader — except the CEO. The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer is unambiguous. "My employer" is the most trusted institution on Earth at 78% — more trusted than government, media or organized religion. Why it matters: This isn't a trophy. It's an obligation. Business leaders have an urgent call to fill the leadership void. Jamie Dimon told me in March that CEOs have a duty to step up. He's right. As a CEO myself, I drafted some tips for others in the C-suite to do this — not to moralize, but because the business case for leadership has never been cleaner: 1. Level with your people. We're not politicians. We shouldn't pretend to be. But our microphones are bigger and more trusted than at any point in a generation. Tell the truth — about the economy, about the business, about jobs. Our people are hungry for wisdom and direction. Acknowledge honestly where we're falling short. If government, churches and the media were trusted, we could focus on just running our companies. They're not. So we can't. 2. Speak plainly about AI. AI will create extraordinary wealth and disrupt nearly every job in nearly every company, fast. Too many leaders are silent because they're confused themselves. Our employees deserve better. We need to master AI to explain it to others. And then talk about it transparently. One lesson I learned this past year: Most people get enthusiastic and engaged in AI when we discuss it candidly and give them the tools and training to experiment. Be honest about your commitment to retrain, redeploy and do right by the people whose work changes most. 3. Model strong moral leadership — and talk about it. This country functions when leaders demonstrate humility , competence and the will to do hard things. People often aren't hearing that at home, in school or on social media. We can fill the void — not with politics, but with character: Honesty. Hard work. Respect. Personal responsibility. Every durable institution in human history was built on that foundation. Talking about universal good business values is good business. 4. Reward competence. Don't be performative about your people. Don't reflexively overcorrect. Just be real about demanding and rewarding competency and fairness for all — where the best people win, the pool is as wide as the country itself and every employee knows the rules apply equally. That's how free-market capitalism works best. It's also how we get the most out of the most talented people. 5. Celebrate America with clear eyes. Anyone with kids or who spends time on college campuses sees the erosion of faith in and love for the country. Schools dance around it. Social media mocks it. No one is filling