Trust in Leadership? Sign me up!

This past week, I was able to speak with educators on the collegiate level at their yearly training. 100+ people in the room all talking about trust in leadership? Sign me up.

As I was prepping for the keynote, it was coming to the forefront that trust isn’t a check on a leadership list. Trust is really the quiet foundation of every strong culture, confident decision, and intent conversation.

What does it look like to lead with trust? I believe it starts with five principles that build your team and yourself from the inside out:

1. Cultivate Positive Self-Leadership: The story you tell yourself shapes how you lead others. Speak with belief, not self-doubt.
2. Communicate with Purpose: Your words have power. Say what builds trust, not what breaks it.
3. Lead Through Authentic Support: Encouragement fuels growth; flattery drains it. Be specific, be sincere, be real.
4. Focus on Your Team’s Unique Strengths: Comparison divides; Collaboration unites. Notice the perspective behind every perception.
5. Find Resilience & Joy Together: When teams face challenges with meaning, they grow stronger and closer.

Leadership isn’t about perfection. It’s about perspective, trust, and courage.

If you’re ready to deepen trust in your leadership or within your team, go all in. You won’t regret it. And if you need a bit of support, reply to this email! It would be my honor to get to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and heart.