Culture doesn’t shift through policy—it transforms through presence.

In this episode, Katie Trotter, Chief Program Officer at the Chapman Foundation, explores how a coaching-centered culture is built not through programs, but through everyday conversations.

Katie shares that coaching culture starts with intention, not titles. It’s about how we show up: listening with curiosity, asking thoughtful questions, and supporting ownership. She goes on to unpack how leaders and teammates can foster growth through small, meaningful interactions.

Katie wraps up with six practical tips to help you start building a coaching culture today:

1. Listen with curiosity
2. Use powerful questions wisely
3. Support ownership
4. Set clear goals
5. Make it safe to grow
6. Take one step at a time

Whether you're leading a team or supporting a colleague, this episode offers actionable insights to help you grow others with care and clarity.

SKILL SNIPPET - FIVE REFLECTIVE LISTENING SKILLS: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2462065/episodes/16817640

CONNECT WITH US: https://www.chapmancommunities.org/speaking-and-public-engagement/

BLOG: https://www.chapmancommunities.org/coaching-culture/

Coaching culture is a key component of our third foundational class, Our Community Transforms, within our model for Caring Leadership and our Caring Workplaces program. To learn more, visit https://www.chapmancommunities.org/partnerships/.

Note: You must be an alumnus of Our Community Listens to register for Our Community Transforms.

Leadership doesn’t require perfection. It demands authenticity.

In this episode, Katie Trotter, Chief Program Officer at the Chapman Foundation, explores how leaders can effectively rebuild trust after making mistakes.

Katie shares that leadership is less about titles and more about influence, which is shaped through small, intentional actions that set the tone for those around us.

She introduces the concept of being chronically human, and points out that when leaders pretend to have it all together, they miss opportunities for genuine connection.

The conversation dives into the value of learning from missteps, and Katie outlines a practical five-step process for repairing trust:

• Regulate emotions
• Name the behavior
• Identify better choices
• Engage in conversation
• Listen to understand

Whether you're managing a team or navigating personal relationships, this episode offers actionable insights to help you lead with intention and care.

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CONNECT WITH US: https://www.chapmancommunities.org/speaking-and-public-engagement/

BLOG: https://www.chapmancommunities.org/rebuilding-trust-how-to-be-a-good-leader-even-when-you-mess-up/

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Trust is a key component to our third foundational class, Our Community Transforms,* within our model for Caring Leadership and our Caring Workplaces program. To learn more, visit our Partnership page.

*Note: You must be an alumnus of Our Community Listens to register for Our Community Transforms.

Ever caught yourself thinking, “Why should I be the one to fix this?” or “That sounds like a YOU problem”?

That flash of defensiveness might feel natural, but it could be blocking a chance to grow, connect, and lead more effectively.

In this episode of Beyond the Class, Katie Trotter, Chief Program Officer at the Chapman Foundation for Caring Communities, explores the ownership mindset. This approach invites leaders to ask, “What part can I own?” even when the situation feels mostly out of their control.

Katie introduces the idea of “the gap." The space between what happens and how we choose to respond. It’s in this space that leaders can shift from blame to responsibility, from frustration to curiosity, and from reaction to reflection.

Through real-life stories and practical tools, Katie unpacks how small shifts in ownership can build trust, strengthen teams, and create psychological safety. You’ll learn how to:

• Recognize the difference between blame and responsibility
• Use reflection to respond with intention
• Ask questions that move conversations forward
• Build trust through consistent, small acts of ownership
• Create space for growth even when things go wrong

If you're ready to shift from defensiveness to development in your leadership journey, this episode offers the practical guidance and actionable steps to get started today.

If you're interested in exploring these concepts further, check out Our Community Serves, a two-day class on mindsets that help shift from a me-centric to a we-centric culture at https://www.chapmancommunities.org/learn-to-connect/