When I taught women in prison, trust was a four letter word to them. It took patience and hard work but it happened! One day as I was passing out markers, I was in the middle of saying, “The first person to ask for a specific color is the first person to NOT get that color,” when I was interrupted by a woman asking me for the blue marker. I finished my statement and gave her a different color. HOWEVER, the next day when I passed out the markers, without saying a word I handed her the blue marker. Later she told me, that was a turning point for her to starting trusting me.
Here’s a few more ways to build trust…
1.) Listen
2.) Be authentic
3.) Pop in their room to just say, “HI”
4.) Ask about their weekend
5.) Be transparent
6.) Listen
7.) Bring them a cup of coffee
8.) Do what you say and say what you mean
9.) Support them
10.) Trust their judgement
11.) Listen
12.) Involve them in decisions
13.) Make mistakes with them
14.) Ask for feedback
15.) Self-reflect in front of them
16.) Listen
17.) Empower them
18.) Do something outside of school
19.) Always have candy in your office
20.) Follow up with them
21.) Listen
22.) Say when you’re wrong
23.) Share resources with them
24.) Thank them
25.) Give them the blue marker
Love that number 25 is give them the blue marker! 🙂