DLN: The Speed of Trust Book Study (PT 1)

About This Course

Series Overview: Building Trust for School Leadership

This three-course series uses Stephen Covey’s The Speed of Trust as the foundation for a reflective, action-oriented professional learning experience designed specifically for educators and school leaders. Participants will explore core concepts from the book across multiple levels of leadership, from personal credibility to system-wide influence, all while reflecting on their own practice and applying trust-building principles in their school or district context.

Each course features recorded conversations (podcast-style) with building leaders from across Michigan who share real-life stories, challenges, and strategies connected to the book’s key themes. These practitioner spotlights provide authentic, in-the-field examples of how trust is built, lost, and restored in school leadership.

All modules are asynchronous, eligible for SCECHs, and designed to support both individual and team-based learning.  Learners should purchase a copy of the book in order to engage with the course content fully.

COURSE 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF TRUST

Trust is more than a character trait—it’s a critical leadership skill that drives performance, relationships, and results. In the first course of the Speed of Trust series, participants will explore the book’s introduction, “The One Thing That Changes Everything,” and the First Wave—Self-Trust. Through a close examination of the 4 Cores of Credibility—Integrity, Intent, Capabilities, and Results—leaders will assess their personal strengths, identify growth areas, and commit to specific actions that build self-trust.

This course features conversations with:

• Dave Myron (Principal, Perry Public Schools), who introduces trust as foundational to building performance culture.
• Christian Manley (Principal, Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center), who reflects on how trust is a skill to be developed and measured.
• Josh Wrinkle (Principal, Rochester High School), who shares how personal credibility drives authentic leadership.
• Monte Kelly (Principal, Fruitport Community Schools), who discusses applying the 4 Cores of Credibility in real-time school leadership scenarios.

This course is offered in partnership with DLN. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with our privacy policy.