Episode 160 – New Page-Harris Poll Study: As Expectations of Business Rise, Confidence Lags
From The Crux of the Story by Gary Sheffer and Mike Fernandez
February 4, 2026 · 46 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the findings of the 2026 Page-Harris Poll Confidence in Business Index, highlighting the gap between business expectations and confidence.
Rob Jekielek, Managing Director of The Harris Poll, and Dr. Rochelle Ford, CEO of the Arthur W. Page Society, join Mike to discuss the 2026 Page‑Harris Poll Confidence in Business Index. Drawing on insights from more than 15,000 adults across 14 global markets, the conversation explores: - Why economic impact has become the number‑one expectation of business worldwide - Sharp generational differences, including the growing importance and concern of mental health for Gen Z - The widening gap between expectations and confidence, driven by a lack of visible action and clear explanations - How generative AI is reshaping trust — displacing traditional media and search as a gateway to credibility - Rising frustration in all institutions around perceived corruption, abuse of power, and lack of transparency This episode is a candid, data‑driven discussion about leadership, accountability, and what it truly takes to earn confidence in a fragmented, GenAI‑enabled world.
People in this episode
Host: Mike Fernandez
Guests: Rob Jekielek, Dr. Rochelle Ford
Topics covered
- business expectations
- confidence in business
- generational differences
- mental health
- trust and credibility
- transparency
- leadership accountability
Keywords
- Page-Harris Poll
- business confidence
- economic impact
- Gen Z
- mental health
- generative AI
- trust
- transparency
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Harris Poll, Arthur W. Page Society
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