When People Don't Trust Government

Alyia Gaskins

Mayor of Alexandria, VA

“Helping People Feel Heard”

If you're an elected official, you've probably felt it.

Residents who are frustrated. People who don't trust institutions. Social media criticism. Growing expectations. Limited resources. Pressure to solve problems quickly while still bringing people along.

So here's the question: How do you lead effectively when people are anxious, skeptical, or convinced that government isn't listening?

In this week's episode of Community Catalysts, Alexandria, Virginia Mayor Alyia Gaskins offers one answer: start by helping people feel heard.

What I found especially compelling about Alyia is that she doesn't approach trust as a slogan. She treats it as daily work. Through resident roundtables, direct communication, public accountability, and a willingness to be transparent when things don't go as planned, she demonstrates how trust is built one conversation at a time.

This is a conversation about leadership in a time when confidence in public institutions feels increasingly fragile. It's also a reminder that people don't expect perfection from their leaders nearly as much as they expect honesty, authenticity, and evidence that someone is genuinely listening.

If you've ever wondered how to strengthen trust, communicate more effectively, or bring people together around difficult issues, I think you'll find this conversation both encouraging and useful.

This episode is presented in partnership with the Regional Elected Leaders Initiative (RELI) at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government, which works to strengthen public leadership and regional collaboration across Northern Virginia.

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An Invitation to Share Your Leadership Story

Community Catalysts is built on the belief that some of the most valuable leadership insights are earned quietly, through real service in real communities.

If you serve in a civic leadership role—and you’d be open to sharing hard-won lessons from your own experience—I invite you to consider being a guest on a future episode.

You can learn more and volunteer by completing a brief guest questionnaire at:www.CatalystGuest.us 

Every submission is reviewed personally. Your story may help another leader see their own work more clearly, or feel less alone in the responsibilities they carry.

Thank you for the work you do—and for considering this invitation.