Leading with Trust: Dr. Toby Travis on School Culture, Leadership & the Hidden Key to Improvement

🛠️ What if the real key to school improvement isn't another new initiative, but rebuilding trust from the inside out?

In this compelling episode of Cold-Pressed Conversations, Dr. Jewel White-Williams sits down with Dr. Toby A. Travis, award-winning author of TrustED: The Bridge to School Improvement and a globally recognized expert in educational leadership. Together, they dive deep into the true foundations of lasting school transformation, highlighting why 70% of improvement efforts fail, how trust affects everything from student behavior to staff retention, and what it actually takes to lead a thriving school culture.

Whether you're a school leader, educator, or community stakeholder, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, wellness, and what it means to build a school where trust is more than a buzzword. It’s the foundation.

Don’t miss this one. 🌟 What You’ll Learn:

✅ How does Dr. Travis's Trusted Leadership Framework help educational leaders assess and build trust within their schools to improve long-term outcomes?

✅ What does Dr. Travis identify as the connection between environmental wellness, implementation success, and the 70% failure rate of school improvement initiatives?

✅ Why does Dr. Travis caution against using the term “family” in school environments, and how does redefining community relationships impact trust and accountability?

✅ What actionable advice does Dr. Travis give for creating a culture of trust, and how can in-person problem-solving transform toxic school environments?

🏫 Whether you're a school leader, educator, or advocate for better learning environments, this episode unpacks how trust—not trends—is the cornerstone of meaningful and sustainable school improvement.

Dr. Toby Travis:

Social Media Links: www.linkedin.com/in/drtobytravis

www.globalschoolconsultants.org

BOOK: www.trustedbook.info

💎 How to connect with Dr. Jewel: Wellness

Website: https://jwhitewilliams.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjwhitewilliams/

💬 Join the conversation: How have you seen trust—or the lack of it—impact leadership where you work or learn?

👍 Like if you believe trust is the foundation of lasting change.

🔔 Subscribe for more evidence-based, heart-centered conversations with Dr. Jewel White-Williams.

#TrustedLeadership #SchoolImprovement #OrganizationalWellness #TrustInEducation #ColdPressedConversations

🧭 Timestamps

00:00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Dr. Travis

00:02:30 What is Trusted Leadership & Why It Matters

00:07:30 70% Failure Rate of Initiatives & Role of Trust

00:12:00 Building Trust Through Assessment, Action & Values

00:17:00 Challenges of New Leadership, the 'Family' Fallacy & Community Culture

00:22:30 Trusted Leadership & School Turnaround Outcomes

00:26:30 Final Gem: Don't Resolve Conflict Electronically