RELATIONSHIPS & TRUST

This week, I had the privilege of addressing two fundamental elements of nurturing a positive culture: relationships and trust.

One individual asked, "How do we go about cultivating positive relationships?" while another inquired, "What strategies can we employ to build trust in an organization undergoing downsizing?" Both questions are insightful, and I appreciated the opportunity to provide personal insight.

The key lies in transparency and effective communication.

So, how do we cultivate relationships? Listening. We must understand others by actively listening, asking probing questions to gain insights, and truly absorbing what is being communicated. Often, we fall into the trap of listening merely to respond, which undermines efforts to build positive relationships. Instead, by adopting the 80/20 model (Pareto analysis), where we listen 80% of the time and speak 20%, we foster empathy and understanding, laying the groundwork for robust relationships.

And what about fostering trust in times of organizational change, such as downsizing? Again, communication and transparency are essential. Additionally, feedback plays a crucial role in effective communication, necessitating attentive listening at a heightened level.

Today, many school districts are grappling with budget cuts and staff reductions post-pandemic, as ESSER funds end. Consequently, transparency becomes even more critical. When downsizing becomes inevitable, it's imperative for leadership to openly communicate the reasons behind such decisions and outline the subsequent steps. Continuous updates throughout the process are essential to ensure stakeholders understand the rationale behind each decision, based on tangible data.

By providing stakeholders with access to pertinent data supporting leadership decisions and facilitating open dialogue to address questions/concerns, a foundation of trust is established. Creating avenues for feedback and ongoing support ensures alignment with organizational goals despite the turbulence of change.

Both scenarios underscore the significance of communication and transparency in cultivating a positive culture. To foster relationships anchored in trust, these principles serve as the bedrock upon which organizational cohesion is built.

Keep shining, friends!

Dr. C