- Engaging students in decision-making 🤝
- Building structures for their ongoing input 👂
- Truly valuing their perspectives through active listening ❤️
- Empowering student leaders 🌟
- Celebrating their amazing contributions 🎉
Thank You for Listening! This has been an episode from The FowardED Network—Where we are Advancing Voices and Shaping Education. We are dedicated to supporting everyone invested in K-12 success: teachers, leaders, parents, and community advocates.
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00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:16 Now here's your host, Adam Bush.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:22 Good morning, Boosters. Welcome to the final Your Morning Boost of the week.
00:00:22 --> 00:00:26 Today, we're going to reflect on a cornerstone of effective school leadership,
00:00:26 --> 00:00:28 and that is building trust with your staff.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:33 Trust is the foundation of any successful organization and schools are no exception.
00:00:33 --> 00:00:39 The famous author Stephen Covey in his book The Speed of Trust argues that trust
00:00:39 --> 00:00:44 is not just a soft skill, it's a strategic asset that can significantly impact
00:00:44 --> 00:00:45 an organization's performance.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:50 A high trust environment fosters open communication, collaboration,
00:00:50 --> 00:00:52 and a shared commitment to the school's mission.
00:00:56 --> 00:01:00 So here are some strategies on how to build trust with your staff,
00:01:00 --> 00:01:04 drawing on Covey's framework. First, be transparent.
00:01:04 --> 00:01:08 Communicate openly and honestly with your staff. Share information,
00:01:09 --> 00:01:13 explain your decisions, and be willing to admit when we've made mistakes.
00:01:13 --> 00:01:18 Transparency builds credibility and it fosters a sense of shared understanding.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:25 It also demonstrates that we value our staff's intelligence and input. Second, show respect.
00:01:25 --> 00:01:29 Treat all staff members with respect regardless of their position or experience.
00:01:30 --> 00:01:35 Value their contributions, listen to their ideas, and acknowledge their efforts.
00:01:35 --> 00:01:39 Respectful interactions create a positive and supportive work environment.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:45 This means recognizing the unique skills and talents that each staff member brings to the school.
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 Next aspect we want to focus on is to create clarity.
00:01:49 --> 00:01:54 Clearly define expectations, roles, and responsibilities. Provide staff members
00:01:54 --> 00:01:57 with the resources and support that they need to succeed.
00:01:58 --> 00:02:02 When staff members know what is expected of them and have the tools to do their
00:02:02 --> 00:02:04 jobs effectively, trust is enhanced.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:10 This clarity, it reduces confusion, frustration, and the potential for misunderstandings.
00:02:10 --> 00:02:14 The next piece you want to focus on is to deliver results. follow through on
00:02:14 --> 00:02:18 your commitments, meet your goals, and demonstrate your competence.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:24 Consistent results demonstrate your reliability, and it helps build confidence in your leadership.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:28 It shows that you are not just talking the talk, but also walking the walk.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:33 Next piece you want to focus on is to confront reality. Address difficult issues
00:02:33 --> 00:02:35 directly and constructively.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 Don't avoid conflict or sweep problems under the rug.
00:02:38 --> 00:02:43 Addressing tough issues head-on while maintaining respect shows that you are
00:02:43 --> 00:02:47 committed to the well-being of the school and the staff, and it also prevents
00:02:47 --> 00:02:50 issues from festering and eroding trust over time.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:54 Next aspect is to keep commitments. Do what you say you're going to do.
00:02:54 --> 00:02:57 This builds credibility and demonstrates reliability.
00:02:57 --> 00:03:03 Our word is our bond. honor it. Even small, broken promises can damage trust,
00:03:03 --> 00:03:06 so it's very important to be meticulous in keeping your commitments.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:11 The last part, which of course is Covey's foundational work,
00:03:11 --> 00:03:16 is to listen first and seek to understand our staff members' perspectives,
00:03:16 --> 00:03:18 and do so before sharing your own.
00:03:18 --> 00:03:22 It shows that we value their opinions and we're willing to learn from them.
00:03:23 --> 00:03:26 Empathetic listening, it's a powerful tool for building trust.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:29 It involves paying attention not only to the words being spoken,
00:03:29 --> 00:03:32 but also to the emotions and the underlying message.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:37 And this will extend the trust as well. Start by trusting your staff.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:42 This creates a positive cycle of trust and encourages them to rise to the occasion.
00:03:42 --> 00:03:47 Trust begets trust. It's about creating a climate where staff members feel empowered
00:03:47 --> 00:03:50 and supported to take risks and innovate.
00:03:51 --> 00:03:53 And then the last step to think about here is to be accountable.
00:03:54 --> 00:03:57 Take responsibility for your decisions and your actions.
00:03:57 --> 00:04:01 Hold yourself and your staff accountable for meeting expectations.
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 Accountability demonstrates fairness and a commitment to high standards.
00:04:05 --> 00:04:09 It's about creating a culture where everyone is responsible for their own actions
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 and for the success of the school as a whole.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:15 Practice that forgiveness, though. Everyone makes mistakes.
00:04:16 --> 00:04:20 Be willing to forgive others and move forward. Holding grudges and dwelling
00:04:20 --> 00:04:24 on past errors, all that does is erode this trust that you're building.
00:04:24 --> 00:04:28 It's about recognizing that everyone is human and that mistakes are opportunities
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 for learning and growth.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:38 Covey emphasizes that trust is built and it's lost in moments of truth.
00:04:39 --> 00:04:43 These are the small, everyday interactions that either strengthen or weaken
00:04:43 --> 00:04:48 trust. It's the consistency of our behavior over time that truly determines
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 the level of trust that exists.
00:04:50 --> 00:04:55 By consistently demonstrating these behaviors, we can create a culture of trust
00:04:55 --> 00:04:59 where staff members feel valued, respected, and empowered.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 A high-trust environment fosters
00:05:01 --> 00:05:05 collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to student success.
00:05:06 --> 00:05:10 It also leads to increased staff morale, reduced turnover, and a more positive
00:05:10 --> 00:05:12 and productive work environment.
00:05:12 --> 00:05:16 Thank you for listening. I hope you've had a good week. Have a great Friday.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:20 Have an even better weekend. Thanks for listening. We will talk with you again next week.
00:05:21 --> 00:05:25 You have been listening to your Morning Boost by AWB Education in partnership
00:05:25 --> 00:05:27 with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:05:27 --> 00:05:31 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:36 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:05:37 --> 00:05:41 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.