Building trust through stakeholder capitalism requires understanding how people evaluate firms (i.e., the social evaluation of the firm). Social psychology research—especially the “brands as intentional agents” framework—shows that stakeholders judge organizations along two universal dimensions: warmth (good intentions) and competence (ability to deliver). Most for-profit firms are stereotypically viewed as competent but low in warmth, a profile associated with distrust and punitive reactions. The strategic aim is therefore to move into the high-warmth, high-competence “golden quadrant,” signaling genuine societal concern alongside capability. Trust can be measured perceptually through warmth–competence scales or through broader stakeholder capitalism metrics such as the SASB/ISSB standards, which provide industry-specific, financially material ESG indicators. Because ESG ratings diverge substantially across agencies, transparent methodologies and regulatory oversight are increasingly important. Firms should prioritize material ESG issues while selectively integrating immaterial topics tied to identity and purpose. Continuous, AI-driven ESG event monitoring, such as FactSet’s TruValue Labs, helps detect greenwashing and ensures alignment between corporate claims and stakeholder perceptions.