1. Build Trust
Trust is the basic tenant for all
relationships, so building an environment of trust is one of the most important
things you can do to create a positive work environment. It's a philosophy that
must be demonstrated in everything you and your staff does. Trust is about
doing what you say you are going to do and being who you say you are. It's
about showing your staff in everything you do that you are reliable,
responsible and accountable, and that they can rely on you for consistency.
Also letting them know you expect the same from them. When your words and
behavior are congruent you foster trust. It will take some time for your staff
members to learn that you are a person of your word. If they see that you are
consistent you will build trust, but if they see your words don't match your
behaviors their trust in you will be destroyed. The unfortunate thing about
trust is that it takes a long time to build, but it's very fragile and will
break easily. Once broken, it takes an even longer time to regain, and it may
never be fully rebuilt. Therefore, it is of primary importance that you are
aware of all your words and behaviors and insure that they are worthy of your
employees' trust.
Even when dealing with uncomfortable
situations, if you are honest and up front it will make things easier for
everyone. What you say and what you do represent who you are. Even if they
don't like what you are saying, if you say it honestly, compassionately and
tactfully they will respect and trust you. Your employees' level of trust will
also be determined by how well you keep confidences and don't disclose
discussions that have been held in private. They have to know they can talk
with you about sensitive subjects and that the information they share with you
will be kept in strict confidence. Confidentiality is critical in all aspects
of your job. This also applies to never discussing one employee with another,
except in positive terms. Any problems you are having with a team member must
be kept between you and that employee, and your supervisor, if applicable. A
good manager never talks negatively about his/her team.
In the Comments area please reflect on 3 ways that you could build trust within your team.
I think the three ways I can build trust with the staff are:
ReplyDelete1. Follow through - If you say you will do something, make sure you can do it. Otherwise, don't promise it.
2. Build a rapport with your staff - (LISTEN to them!) If you find something out about them, listen, and then check back with them from time to time. Showing that you care can really build up their trust in you.
3. Treat them with respect - If you show respect to them at all times, they are more likely to take critiques or criticisms you give later.
Three ways I feel I can build trust:
ReplyDelete1. Being their advocate for bigger issues. If they have a problem with something, being there to relay the issue and seek out the help they need.
2. Keeping information private; if someone comes to me in confidence, I need to keep the information private.
3. Being an example. If I'm going to hold them to a standard, I need to have an even higher standard for myself.
I can build trust on my team by:
ReplyDelete1- giving credit where credit is due. If I borrow an idea from someone and receive a compliment on it I should credit that teacher for the idea and let them know that their idea was complimented.
2- Keeping interactions positive with my team. No discussing grows or anything negative.
3- Refraining from participating in any gossip or rumors. If they see/hear me gossiping about another staff member they will assume that I gossip about them as well.
Three ways I build trust with my team:
Delete1. Keep the conversations I have with them one on one confidential. They need to know they can come to me for anything and I will keep it private if they wish.
2. Follow through with what I say, if I tell them I will come help with something or get them something, I need to remember to do so and that will show them that they can rely on me.
3. Like Ellen said, give credit where it is due, if I use an idea and I got if from someone else, don't take credit for it myself.
All great comments ladies! Thanks so much for your input.
ReplyDeleteMichelle you mentioned showing respect....How do you all feel about using sarcasm as a form of humor? I think that it can sometimes unintentionally make people feel disrespected or put a negative spin on a comment.
Karen: Great point about being an example and holding ourselves to a higher standard. What could be some specific examples of holding yourself to a higher standard?
Ellen-Nice observation about gossip and rumors. Being the target of rumors (most of which are ridiculous and completely unfounded) has been the number one way I've seen staff members lose trust in each other. I think you're right that being an example by not participating is right on target. What could we do as team leaders when we witness others participating in the rumor/gossip mill?
I try really hard (don't always succeed) at always doing what you or anyone else in administration ask of us, especially with things like the monitoring forms. When the easy-smart-brilliant chart was put on there, I made sure to get mine up and going, picking my kids up on time, have lesson plans ready. I feel like I need to 'walk the walk if I"m going to talk the talk". Its cheesy saying, but its what I work towards.
DeleteGood question- when I taught at a different district, the staff had a Christmas party. One of the teachers had too much to drink and was "caught" in the middle of a personal moment with a parent in the laundry room. When we came back to school the rumor mill was just insane- every time someone told the story they added something new to what happened. One of my team members came up to me and said "Did you hear about Carrie at the Christmas party?" and really without thinking I said "Yes, I've heard about it and I don't think that its our place to discuss it" and I walked away. The team member came to me later and thanked me for saying that- she said that I helped her realize that spreading the rumor wasn't helpful to Carrie and she was going to say the same thing to anyone else that started talking about it. I've thought back to that when I've heard gossip and been tempted to join in- sometimes without realizing it we influence those people around us.
ReplyDelete1. Show support in all situations. If I have a staff member that needs help, I will go out of my way to check in on them. Sometimes all you need to ask is "How is that going in your classroom?" or "I Saw you have improved by." Being supported lets them trust that you will be there to support them and have their back.
ReplyDelete2. Have an open door policy and let your actions show that you are an approachable member of the team. I am always willing to talk or troubleshoot with a team member. I think this adds to a trusting environment.
3. Open communication between the team, sharing materials and keeping everyone informed on what's going on. I agree with Ellen, give credit where credit is due :)
1. Honesty
ReplyDelete2. Openness
3. be there for them
I'm reading I am Malala...love this quote, "we hadn't realized how important education was until the Taliban tried to stop us. Going to school, reading and doing our homeword wasn't just a way of passing tme, it was our future."
ReplyDelete