How Leaders Communicate Their Vulnerability: Implications for Trust Building

• In Event: 63.026 - Dispositions of School Leaders: Impact on School Climate

Abstract

For leaders to resolve concerns that hinder more equitable schooling outcomes, collaboration of staff is often essential. The basis for collaboration is trust, and trust can be defined as the intention to accept vulnerability. Showing vulnerability enables more trusting relationships and collaboration, especially in relationships of unequal power. We identified the interpersonal behaviors that communicate vulnerability and studied their occurrence in conversations that 27 leaders held with the person involved in a concern that they sought to resolve. We found little evidence that leaders showed vulnerability to others in their conversations. Given the importance of trust as a resource for school improvement, leadership development needs to include opportunities for leaders to build trust by experiencing and communicating genuine vulnerability.

Authors

• Frauke Meyer, The University of Auckland

• Deidre Le Fevre, University of Auckland

• Viviane M. Robinson, University of Auckland