When I first became a school leader, I thought I could create belonging just by caring enough.
I’ll never forget a moment during one of my leadership roles. A teacher, visibly shaken, came to me and said, “I just don’t feel like anyone’s listening to us. We talk about creating belonging for students, but what about us?”
Her words hit me like a ton of bricks.
Here I was, pouring my energy into creating belonging for students, yet my staff—my team—felt unseen. It was a gut check.
As leaders, we often focus so much on solving problems that we forget the power of listening. Real listening. Not the kind that nods and moves on, but the kind that slows down, asks better questions, and creates space for voices to be heard.
That moment forced me to reflect. How many times had I jumped to “fix” things without fully understanding what my team needed?
Here are two strategies I’ve since embraced:
- Create safe, anonymous feedback channels: Sometimes, fear of judgment silences people. Giving staff and students a safe space to share their truths can reveal challenges you never knew existed.
- Ask open-ended questions that go beyond the surface: Instead of “What’s wrong?” ask, “What would make you feel more connected here?”
What happened when I started listening more? Trust grew. Teachers felt seen, and students began to reflect the positivity they saw in the adults around them.
The lesson? Listening isn’t passive; it’s transformative. It’s how we lead with empathy and create the trust that belonging demands.
Let me ask you:
When was the last time you truly listened—to your staff, your students, or even yourself?
