10 Ways to Build Trust This Year

If there’s one thing school leaders can agree on, it’s this: the work has changed.

The past five years have tested every part of our systems, our staffing, our schedules, our patience, and our ability to lead through uncertainty. But one thing hasn’t changed: the importance of relationships.

Now more than ever, relationships must be at the center of our leadership. Because after all the disruption, disconnection, and exhaustion, people are craving something solid, someone solid.

They’re looking for leaders who are steady, thoughtful, and trustworthy.

Why Relationships Must Come First

Every school has goals: raise achievement, strengthen attendance, improve behavior, and increase engagement. But none of those are sustainable without trust. And trust is built through relationships.

Patrick Lencioni, in The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, identifies the absence of trust as the first and most foundational barrier to healthy teams. Without it, collaboration weakens, accountability slips, and people begin to protect themselves rather than the mission.

When trust is present:

• Staff take healthy risks

• Teams engage in honest dialogue

• Students feel safe and willing to learn

• Parents become true partners

You can’t get to growth or improvement without first building connection. Trust is not a soft skill; it’s a strategic priority.

What Trust Looks Like in School Leadership

Trust doesn’t require perfection. It requires consistency.

When people trust you, they know:

• You’ll do what you say

• You listen before responding

• You don’t make assumptions

• You support them when it matters

And when you lead a building built on those values, you create a culture where people are more open, more honest, and more committed, not just to the work, but to each other.

10 Specific Ways to Build Trust This Year

Below are practical, proven strategies you can use right away. These go beyond surface-level rapport and build a strong foundation that will carry your school through the year.

1. Start the Year With 1:1 Staff Connection Meetings

During pre-service or in the first month, schedule 10–15 minutes with each staff member. Ask:

• What brings you energy in your work?

• What’s one thing that would help you thrive this year?

• How can I support you professionally and personally?

Keep notes. Circle back later in the semester. Being heard builds lasting trust.

2. Create a Staff Snapshot Binder or Google Sheet

Invite staff to complete a short form with:

• Favorite snack, drink, or coffee order

• Preferred way to receive recognition or feedback

• Birthday, fun facts, or hobbies

• A personal or professional goal

Use this as a quiet tool for appreciation and intentional connection throughout the year.

3. Do Daily Walkthroughs with Encouraging Follow-Up

Aim to visit 3–5 classrooms each day without an evaluation lens. Instead, leave sticky notes or send quick emails like:

• “Your morning routine was calm and clear. Loved the student ownership I saw.”

• “That lesson strategy really engaged your learners today.”

• “Thanks for the positive energy you bring each morning, it’s noticed.”

These comments cost you minutes but make a lasting impact.

4. Host Monthly Student Listening Circles

Choose a small, diverse group of students and ask:

• What helps you feel supported at school?

• What do you wish adults understood better about your experience?

• What’s one thing you’d keep or change?

Then share insights with staff (anonymously) to show that student voice shapes your leadership.

5. Email Every Family in the First Week

This doesn’t have to be complex. A few lines like:

“I’m honored to serve your child and your family this year. My door is open. If a question or concern ever comes up, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

Add a calendar link or invite them to office hours. Starting from a place of openness earns you goodwill down the road.

6. Open Staff Meetings With a Connection Prompt

Use the first 5 minutes of weekly meetings to ask:

• “What’s one small win from last week?”

• “Who on the team encouraged you recently?”

• “What are you grateful for right now?”

Build connection before content. It helps staff transition from busy to present—and reminds everyone we’re in this together.

7. Create a Parent Connection Corner in the Lobby

Set up a small table with:

• Printed calendars or newsletters

• A QR code for your weekly updates

• A digital suggestion box or “What do you want to know more about?” form

This sends a clear message: families are invited into the conversation.

8. Launch a Staff Member of the Month Program 

Let staff, students, and parents recognize adults who made a difference. Display student-written nomination slips. Celebrate with a small gift or perk (duty coverage, coffee, or lunch).

Hearing how they’ve impacted students often encourages staff more than anything else.

9. Make Five Positive Phone Calls Each Week

Choose five students and call their families with something specific:

• “She showed great leadership in her group today.”

• “I saw how kind he was to a new student this week.”

• “They’re really growing in their confidence.”

These calls take 15 minutes total but go a long way in strengthening family relationships before challenges arise.

10. Start a “Two-Minute Uplift” Routine

Choose a time once a week, Monday morning, Wednesday staff huddle, or Thursday afternoon, to recognize one staff member publicly and specifically. Keep it short, but intentional. Focus on effort, impact, or consistency rather than performance metrics.

Rotate weekly. Keep a simple tracker to ensure every staff member is recognized over time. Invite staff to submit nominations if you want to expand it later.

• It models what you value

• It starts meetings on a positive note

• It strengthens relational trust across the team

Why It Matters More Than Ever

The last few years have stretched schools and leaders in ways we never expected. Many educators are tired, discouraged, or questioning their capacity to keep going.

That’s why this kind of leadership, centered on trust, built on connection, is a necessity.

When we lead with relationships:

• Staff stay longer and invest more

• Students thrive emotionally and academically

• Parents feel like partners

• School becomes a place people want to be

Trust creates stability. And stability creates space for growth.

Final Thoughts: Lead With Intention, Not Assumption

There will always be tasks competing for your time. But if you want a school culture that is steady, supportive, and joyful, relationships have to come first.

Don’t assume trust exists. Build it, purposefully, consistently, and with care.

And remember: it’s not about one big moment. It’s about how you show up, day after day, in small but meaningful ways.