How would you rate the morals of our (your) nation’s leaders? Political (at all levels)? Business? Church? Community?
Let’s be honest for a bit. How are your (my) morals holding up in everyday transactions?
A record-high 56% of Americans say moral values in the U.S. are “poor,” according to a Gallup poll out this morning.
That’s up 12 points from last year.
80% say moral values are “getting worse” — 14 points higher than ’25.
Organizational psychologist and podcaster Adam Grant has lately talked of observing much of the Dark Triad—narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy. The first focus only on themselves; the second manipulate others for their own advancement; the last have no empathy or feelings for others. Some psychologists I’ve heard consider these on a continuum where we all may exhibit a bit of each at times, but that some people slide all the way from an annoying amount to actual diagnosable disorders.
Grant lamented if only we could get leaders at all levels who were working for the good of everyone instead of exhibiting some or all of these traits.
When you are choosing leaders for your organization or even for voting, do you recognize these dysfunctional traits?
Perhaps an even more important reflection is to turn the mirror on ourselves. Where do we stand? Do we need to seek help? Maybe we need therapy? Mostly we need the usual spiritual formation route of recognizing where we fall short and seeking help. Then working on it day-by-day.
Gallup didn’t ask me. I’m not impressed with the moral fiber of most people I read about in the news or see on social media. On the other hand, most of the people I come into contact with through business or social or just casually are OK. I’ve dealt with people in the Dark Triad in my life. That’s not fun. I’m glad most people are not that way.
Faith Venture 
May 29, 2026 at 6:52 am |
Reading your reflection, I found myself agreeing with the way you turned it back to personal responsibility rather than just pointing at systems. It’s easy to critique leadership and culture, but much harder to look inward and ask how we show up in our own daily interactions.