The Cultivation and The Cultivation and Manifestation of TrustManifestation of Trust

ByBy

Mark Connolly, Ed.DMark Connolly, Ed.D

Director of Elementary Education Director of Elementary Education

Kelso School DistrictKelso School District

mark.connolly@kelso.wednet.mark.connolly@kelso.wednet.eduedu

By the end of our time By the end of our time today…today…

You should be able to You should be able to identify the 5 facetsidentify the 5 facets of of trust.trust.

You should be able to You should be able to set a goalset a goal around the around the one or two areas that one or two areas that you’d like to target in you’d like to target in your work.your work.

You will have a You will have a deeper understanding deeper understanding of how trust and of how trust and collaboration are collaboration are connected.connected.

You will have some You will have some motivation for motivation for cultivating trustcultivating trust in in your work.your work.

Why did I study trust?Why did I study trust?

What makes a principal effective?What makes a principal effective?How is trust measured?How is trust measured?How is trust built and sustained?How is trust built and sustained?Who is doing this, and how can I Who is doing this, and how can I

study them?study them?Can their work be generalized by Can their work be generalized by

others?others?

BEFORE WE BEGIN TO BEFORE WE BEGIN TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS, WE NEED TO DEFINE AND WE NEED TO DEFINE AND DISCUSS TRUST.DISCUSS TRUST.

How do you define trust?

Personally/Professionally

Defining TrustDefining Trust

““Trust is an individual’s or group’s willingness to be Trust is an individual’s or group’s willingness to be vulnerable to another party based on the confidence that vulnerable to another party based on the confidence that the latter party is benevolent, reliable, competent, the latter party is benevolent, reliable, competent, honest, and open.” honest, and open.”

Hoy, Tschannen-MoranHoy, Tschannen-Moran

Five Facets of TrustFive Facets of Trust Benevolence - confidence that one’s well being will be Benevolence - confidence that one’s well being will be

protected by trusted partyprotected by trusted party Reliability - the extent to which one can count on another Reliability - the extent to which one can count on another

person or groupperson or group Competency - the extent to which the trusted party has Competency - the extent to which the trusted party has

knowledge and skillknowledge and skill Honesty - the character, integrity, and authenticity of the Honesty - the character, integrity, and authenticity of the

trusted partytrusted party Openness - the extent to which there is no withholding of Openness - the extent to which there is no withholding of

information from othersinformation from others

Why is trust important in schools?

• Discuss 3 reasons with an elbow partner

Trust in schools is important Trust in schools is important because…because…

““Without trust, it is unlikely that schools can be successful Without trust, it is unlikely that schools can be successful in their efforts to achieve their academic mission.” - in their efforts to achieve their academic mission.” - Tschannen-MoranTschannen-Moran

““The more we trust each other, the better we are able to The more we trust each other, the better we are able to cooperate, and therefore the better are our prospects for cooperate, and therefore the better are our prospects for progress.” - Cook, Hardin, and Leviprogress.” - Cook, Hardin, and Levi

Trust in schools is important Trust in schools is important because…because…

““Trust acts as a catalyst for change processes that Trust acts as a catalyst for change processes that instrumentally connect to improving academic instrumentally connect to improving academic productivity.” - Bryk and Schneiderproductivity.” - Bryk and Schneider

““Trust is likely the most important element in the Trust is likely the most important element in the development of a learning community.” - Vodickadevelopment of a learning community.” - Vodicka

What does the research say about trust/distrust?

• Discuss with an elbow partner issues of both trust and distrust in schools

Literature on Trust in SchoolsLiterature on Trust in Schools

The literature clearly identifies trust as a key component of successful schools.

- Schools where high levels of trust exist are 3 times more likely to yield positive student outcomes than schools where there are low levels of trust.

- Teacher to teacher trust is the predominant relationship that is correlated to student outcomes - where it is strong, the student performance outcomes are increased.

Literature on the Principal’s Literature on the Principal’s Role with Trust in SchoolsRole with Trust in Schools

When teachers trust their principal, they are also more likely to trust each other.

- Principals willing to extend trust are more likely to be trusted in return.

- “Even where leaders work to build a common vision and foster acceptance of group goals, absent trust, these leaders do not inspire workers to go beyond the minimum requirements of their jobs.” Tschannen-Moran

- Principals with a high sense of self-efficacy are more likely to trust and empower the teachers in their school than those with a lower sense of self-efficacy.

Literature on Distrust in Literature on Distrust in SchoolsSchools

When distrust prevails, student learning suffers.

- When staff do not trust one another, they seek to minimize their vulnerability. This eliminates collaboration in schools.

- The greater the degree of distrust, the greater the likelihood for conflict within the school. Conversely, the greater the degree of trust, the less degree of conflict within a school staff.

The search for principals to The search for principals to studystudy

Zenger-Folkman’s Extraordinary Leader 360º SurveyZenger-Folkman’s Extraordinary Leader 360º Survey Powerful Teaching and Learning Inc. was willing to identify Powerful Teaching and Learning Inc. was willing to identify

Washington elementary principals who scored in the top 10% of Washington elementary principals who scored in the top 10% of all leaders. all leaders.

The “extreme cases” studied were elementary principals who The “extreme cases” studied were elementary principals who were in the top 10% of all leaders in all five categorieswere in the top 10% of all leaders in all five categories

character, personal capability, focus on results, leading character, personal capability, focus on results, leading organizational change, and interpersonal skillsorganizational change, and interpersonal skills

““Character” is not only the “center pole of the leadership tent”, Character” is not only the “center pole of the leadership tent”, but it is where trust residesbut it is where trust resides

Extreme Cases & TrustExtreme Cases & Trust Leaders who score in the top 10% in three of the five Leaders who score in the top 10% in three of the five

cluster areas are in the top 20% of all leaders, so long as cluster areas are in the top 20% of all leaders, so long as they do not have a “fatal flaw” in any one area. they do not have a “fatal flaw” in any one area.

The extreme cases had no fatal flaws, and scored in the The extreme cases had no fatal flaws, and scored in the top 10% in all five areas.top 10% in all five areas.

Moreover, their schools were high performing on Moreover, their schools were high performing on statewide assessmentsstatewide assessments

Beliefs and Priorities of these Beliefs and Priorities of these PrincipalsPrincipals

““Trust is like respect; when it is given, it is also received.” Trust is like respect; when it is given, it is also received.” - Marilyn Danielson- Marilyn Danielson

““Student achievement is my number one priority, but Student achievement is my number one priority, but supporting the people who are doing that work is my supporting the people who are doing that work is my work priority.” - Sean Scottwork priority.” - Sean Scott

““I’ll do anything to support a teacher…I don’t want my I’ll do anything to support a teacher…I don’t want my teachers to be afraid to make a mistake.” - Lee Ryanteachers to be afraid to make a mistake.” - Lee Ryan

Common Beliefs of these Common Beliefs of these Principals Principals

Be intentional about forming relationships and developing a Be intentional about forming relationships and developing a collaborative team - Communicatecollaborative team - Communicate

Exude a commitment to successExude a commitment to success Vision, mission, values, and goalsVision, mission, values, and goals

Focus on maintaining and acquiring dedicated staff membersFocus on maintaining and acquiring dedicated staff members Accept and expect the best of yourself and those around you Accept and expect the best of yourself and those around you Stay focused on teaching and learning (teachers and learners)Stay focused on teaching and learning (teachers and learners)

Common Beliefs of these Common Beliefs of these PrincipalsPrincipals

Enjoy people and value their diverse Enjoy people and value their diverse perspectivesperspectives

Value the time, ability, and contribution of othersValue the time, ability, and contribution of others Work to serve othersWork to serve others

Be intentional and thoughtful in how you invest your Be intentional and thoughtful in how you invest your timetime

Invest in othersInvest in others Perception is reality - mold the perception of Perception is reality - mold the perception of

others through actions and wordsothers through actions and words

Trust Builds CollaborationTrust Builds Collaboration Grade Level or Department Grade Level or Department

TeamsTeams School-wide TeamsSchool-wide Teams PLC’s and Leaders are FormedPLC’s and Leaders are Formed Collaboration allows trust to Collaboration allows trust to

become manifestedbecome manifested InterdependenceInterdependence RelationshipsRelationships Shared vision, mission, values, Shared vision, mission, values,

and goalsand goals

Mistrust and Distrust Erode Mistrust and Distrust Erode CollaborationCollaboration

Mistrust Vs. DistrustMistrust Vs. Distrust

Pencil Vs. InkPencil Vs. Ink

Trust is written in pencilTrust is written in pencil

Distrust is written in inkDistrust is written in ink

How do you increase trust and collaboration?

• Brainstorm a list with an elbow partner of things that you can do to build trust and collaboration.

Increase Trust and Increase Trust and CollaborationCollaboration

Make the 5 facets of trust an intentional focus of your practiceMake the 5 facets of trust an intentional focus of your practice Address issues of mistrust and distrust immediatelyAddress issues of mistrust and distrust immediately

Foster trust with staff membersFoster trust with staff members Remove obstacles for othersRemove obstacles for others Value and know people both personally and professionallyValue and know people both personally and professionally Value timeValue time Invest time and energy into the work of the teacher and learnerInvest time and energy into the work of the teacher and learner Promote intentionality around a defined vision and goal Promote intentionality around a defined vision and goal

Use data to guide decisionsUse data to guide decisions Avoid favoritismAvoid favoritism Be predictableBe predictable

Increase Trust and Increase Trust and CollaborationCollaboration

Replace blame with acceptanceReplace blame with acceptance Accept the realities that confront you and your workAccept the realities that confront you and your work Accept the fact that trust can always be improvedAccept the fact that trust can always be improved

Lead by exampleLead by example Take steps to improve that which you control and encourage others to do the Take steps to improve that which you control and encourage others to do the

same same Promote and participate in collaborative interactions dailyPromote and participate in collaborative interactions daily Admit mistakes and move forwardAdmit mistakes and move forward Be intentional with building relationships - Blend personal compassion and Be intentional with building relationships - Blend personal compassion and

professional supportprofessional support

““To be effective instructional leaders, principals should emphasize To be effective instructional leaders, principals should emphasize autonomy and choice for teachers, not control and competition among autonomy and choice for teachers, not control and competition among teachers.” - Blase and Blaseteachers.” - Blase and Blase

Trust must be CultivatedTrust must be Cultivated

Prepare the fields for trust to growPrepare the fields for trust to grow

Add the needed nutrients and rid Add the needed nutrients and rid the field of weeds and crop peststhe field of weeds and crop pests

Work to create the vision of Work to create the vision of deeper roots and a hearty cropdeeper roots and a hearty crop

Harvested trust can feed Harvested trust can feed collaborative relationshipscollaborative relationships

Trust and the Principalship: Trust and the Principalship: Organizational ImplicationsOrganizational Implications

Trust can move from “Individualized” to “Organizational” through common Trust can move from “Individualized” to “Organizational” through common experiences and relationships experiences and relationships

PLC’s form when trust is intentionally builtPLC’s form when trust is intentionally built

Collaboration allows trust to become manifested in educational Collaboration allows trust to become manifested in educational practicepractice

Interdependence increasesInterdependence increases Relationships improveRelationships improve Shared vision, mission, values, and goals bring people together and promote a Shared vision, mission, values, and goals bring people together and promote a

sense of shared purposesense of shared purpose

Quotes taken from staff at the Quotes taken from staff at the successful schoolssuccessful schools

““Trust is built one action, one person, one day at a time.”Trust is built one action, one person, one day at a time.”

““Like respectfulness yields respect, trustworthiness Like respectfulness yields respect, trustworthiness yields trust.”yields trust.”

““Choose your actions and words as if cameras were Choose your actions and words as if cameras were recording you.”recording you.”

““Do not avoid the pink elephant in the room, but work Do not avoid the pink elephant in the room, but work first to strengthen your foundation before building upon first to strengthen your foundation before building upon it.”it.”

ReflectionsReflections What will you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses as an What will you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses as an

educational leader within the 5 facets of trust?educational leader within the 5 facets of trust? Benevolence, Reliability, Competence, Honesty, OpennessBenevolence, Reliability, Competence, Honesty, Openness

Have you considered the ladder to collaboration? GlickmanHave you considered the ladder to collaboration? Glickman Conflict - Co-exist - Congenial - Collegial - CollaborativeConflict - Co-exist - Congenial - Collegial - Collaborative If collaboration is the destination, trust is the vehicle that will take If collaboration is the destination, trust is the vehicle that will take

you there.you there.

Establish goals for increasing trust

• Use the 5 facets of trust to privately reflect and set goals

• Be sure to identify strengths and targets for yourself, your team, and your school

BenevolenceBenevolence

• • What evidence of What evidence of kindness would kindness would students from your students from your classroom be able to classroom be able to cite?cite?

• • How have you How have you demonstrated care demonstrated care and compassion to a and compassion to a colleague? colleague?

ReliabilityReliability

To what extent do you To what extent do you feel that other feel that other professionals in your professionals in your building can rely on building can rely on you? And you them? you? And you them? And they one another?And they one another?

Fill in the blank and Fill in the blank and provide an example provide an example that explains it: In my that explains it: In my professional role, I professional role, I typically act to serve typically act to serve the best interests of the best interests of _____. _____.

CompetenceCompetence

Do you believe that Do you believe that your peers perform your peers perform their jobs with their jobs with competence? What competence? What examples can you examples can you share that illustrate share that illustrate your perspective?your perspective?

What examples can What examples can you articulate about you articulate about the way that you the way that you demonstrate demonstrate competence in your competence in your job performance?job performance?

HonestyHonesty

How and when do you How and when do you demonstrate your level demonstrate your level of honesty and of honesty and integrity to your peers?integrity to your peers?

How would you How would you describe the faith that describe the faith that you have in the you have in the integrity of your peers?integrity of your peers?

OpennessOpenness

To what extent are To what extent are teachers open with teachers open with one another in your one another in your school?school?

What kinds of personal What kinds of personal information do you information do you openly share with openly share with teachers?teachers?

How did we do?• Are you able to identify the 5

facets of trust?

• Are you able to set a goal around the one or two areas that you’d like to target as a new principal?

• Do you have a deeper understanding of trust and collaboration?

• Are you motivated to cultivate trust in your work?

Building Trust…It’s a Must!Building Trust…It’s a Must!