In this episode of Unlock 360°, host Wendy York Davoud welcomes Dr. Gearl Loden, Superintendent of Nixa Public Schools in Missouri and author of Before It Breaks: The Seven Pillars of Trust Every Leader Must Build. With more than 36 years in education and 18 years as a superintendent, Dr. Loden shares how his personal experiences, leadership journey, and passion for developing people have shaped one of the nation's highest-performing school districts.
Drawing from both his new book and his leadership experience, Dr. Loden explains why trust is the foundation of every successful organization. He discusses practical strategies for building stronger teams, repairing damaged relationships, creating systems that support people, and leading with courage through difficult conversations.
The conversation also explores Nixa Public Schools' transformation through professional learning communities, community partnerships, innovative leadership development, and proactive decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Loden shares how focusing on trust, continuous improvement, and serving the entire community has helped Nixa become one of the top-performing districts in Missouri while maintaining a culture where both students and staff thrive.
Key Moments
03:55 How Personal Challenges Shaped His Leadership
06:05 Why Trust Is Every Leader's Foundation
07:13 The 72-Hour Trust Protocol
10:26 Building Competent Systems, Not Just Competent People
19:02 Leading Through the Pandemic
24:38 Preparing Before COVID Changed Everything
27:57 One Nixa and Building Community Connections
33:24 Earning Community Trust Through Leadership
35:26 Why Public Education Matters More Than Ever
39:30 Creating a Culture Where Employees Thrive
Why You'll Love This Episode
Dr. Loden blends practical leadership strategies with personal stories that demonstrate how trust, strong systems, and genuine care for people create thriving schools. Whether you're leading a district, a campus, or a team, this conversation offers actionable ideas for building stronger relationships, developing future leaders, and creating a culture where everyone can succeed.
Exclusive Unlock 360 Bonus
Before It Breaks: https://a.co/d/03nCfWkq
Purchase "Before It Breaks" and register your copy to receive Dr. Loden's companion resources. Unlock 360 listeners can also receive the exclusive workbook after August 7 by using the promo code below when registering their book.
You'll also gain access to Dr. Loden's complimentary leadership masterclasses and additional downloadable resources designed to help you put the book's concepts into practice.
Promo Code: Unlock360
Connect with Dr. Gearl Loden
Website: https://www.nixapublicschools.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gearl-loden-lodenleadership
Email: gearlloden@nixaschools.net
Follow Us
Wendy York Davoud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyryork
Lead.Teach.Learn.360 Website: https://leadteachlearn360.com
Lead.Teach.Learn.360 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-teach-learn-360%C2%B0/
About Unlock 360°
Unlock 360° is the podcast where school leaders and instructional trailblazers reveal how they are turning bold vision into sustainable action. Powered by Lead.Teach.Learn.360°, each episode brings you inside the systems, strategies, and human stories that drive school improvement, one leader, one learner, one breakthrough at a time.
Enjoyed this conversation? Subscribe to Unlock 360° for more.