In the world of instructional coaching, trust is a necessity. Without it, feedback falls flat, collaboration stalls, and growth becomes limited. With it, coaching transforms into a powerful, reflective, and impactful experience for both the coach and the teacher.
Whether you’re new to coaching or a seasoned professional, building trust requires intentionality, empathy, and consistent follow-through. Let’s explore three dimensions of trust and the strategies and digital tools that can help you build and maintain them.
Communicative Trust: Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say
Communicative trust is rooted in clear, honest, and respectful communication. It develops when coaches listen with purpose, speak with clarity, and set mutual expectations.
Some strategies you can try include:
- Practice active listening. Use paraphrasing and reflective language to show you’re fully engaged. Example: “What I hear you saying is…” or “Tell me more about that.”
- Set clear expectations. At the start of a coaching relationship, clarify roles, boundaries, and goals. A coaching agreement can be a powerful tool here.
- Maintain consistency in communication. Follow up after meetings, summarize next steps, and keep shared notes visible and up to date.
When communication is transparent, teachers feel respected and understood, which lays a strong foundation for deeper collaboration.
Relational Trust: Show Up, Celebrate, and Empathize
Relational trust stems from the human connection between coach and teacher. It grows when teachers feel that their coach genuinely cares, understands their challenges, and recognizes their strengths.
Some strategies you can try include:
- Celebrate teacher wins. Begin coaching conversations by highlighting success, however small. Public or private acknowledgment boosts morale and signals that their work is seen.
- Be visible and dependable. Pop into classrooms informally, keep scheduled check-ins, and be a steady presence in the building.
- Show empathy during tough moments. Sometimes the most powerful coaching isn’t about the instructional strategies. It’s about listening and holding space for emotional processing.
Trust deepens when teachers feel you’re walking alongside them, not ahead or behind. Keep track with this checklist.
Competence-Based Trust: Know Your Craft
Competence-based trust is built when teachers believe their coach knows their craft and follows through. It’s about credibility and support that’s timely, relevant, and grounded in strong pedagogy.
Some strategies you can try include:
- Follow through with precision. When you promise to send resources or model a strategy, do it. Make sure to do it on time and tailor it to their content.
- Offer relevant, practical support. Share tools that match teachers’ instructional goals or challenges. Anticipate needs and be proactive with your help.
- Demonstrate instructional expertise. Ground your coaching in frameworks, research, and current instructional best practices.
When teachers see you as a guide, trust follows.
Digital Tools That Help Coaches Strengthen Relationships
Digital tools, when used with intention, can enhance all three types of trust. Here are some that align with the trust-building strategies discussed above.
Reflect
When you intentionally build communicative, relational, and competence-based trust, you create partnerships where teachers feel safe to grow and where coaching becomes truly transformative. For even more tips, visit Relationship Building Tips for Instructional Coaches. Comment below on how you build trust with your teachers.
