What if the leadership practices that once kept schools running are now holding them back? In this episode of Change Starts Here, host Dustin Odham sits down with David Kasperson, co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Trust & Inspire and Director of Speaking & Business Development at FranklinCovey, to challenge the deeply rooted belief that control drives results.

Together, they explore why traditional, compliance-driven leadership is reaching its breaking point in today’s schools—and how shifting to a Trust & Inspire model can unlock the latent potential of educators and students alike. Kasperson reframes trust not as a “soft” idea, but as rocket fuel for innovation, engagement, and performance.

Listeners will gain practical insights into the three stewardships of leadership—modeling, trusting, and inspiring—and learn how to rebuild trust, even after it’s been damaged. This conversation is a call to action for K–12 leaders ready to move beyond managing tasks and start leading people with belief, purpose, and stewardship.

Get Your Copy of Trust & Inspire:

https://store.leaderinme.com/products/trust-and-inspire-book-hardcover

Host:

Dustin Odham, Managing Director with FranklinCovey Education

Guest:

David Kasperson, Co-author of Trust & Inspire and Director of Speaking & Business Development at FranklinCovey

Timestamps:

(00:00 - 01:18) Episode introduction

(01:18 - 03:04) David’s leadership journey

(03:04 - 04:47) Why trust matters now

(04:47 - 07:19) Measuring trust vs. engagement

(07:19 - 09:11) Speed as a differentiator

(09:11 - 11:07) Management vs. leadership paradigms

(11:07 - 14:13) Moving beyond compliance

(14:13 - 17:09) Barriers to trust

(17:09 - 19:56) Tapping into inspiration

(19:56 - 24:11) High expectations, not micromanagement

(24:11 - 30:37) Steps to rebuild trust

(30:37 - 36:23) Stewardship for the person

(36:23 - 42:38) Love in the classroom

(42:38 - 44:13) Leading through potential

(44:13 - 46:05) Overcoming leadership frustration

(46:05 - 50:00) Outro and resources

Why Trust Isn’t Soft—and Control Isn’t Working