Shifting to TBRI
In 2022, Crossnore adopted the evidence-based philosophy of Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). TBRI has over a decade of research supporting its effectiveness. It helps parents guide kids from hard places toward healthy relationships and healing from trauma. Our professional caregivers at Crossnore have reported significant success by following this model. They use it while working with youth of all ages.
The Core Principles of TBRI
TBRI consists of 3 core principles: Connection, Empowerment, and Correction. The Connecting Principle speaks to how we show up in relationships. It helps us build meaningful bonds and connections. This includes what we bring to relationships (baggage, insights, experiences) and how we use our skills. These skills include eye contact, active listening, and appropriate touch. The Empowering Principle speaks to how we ensure we meet needs to set kids up for success. We make sure everyone’s physiological needs are met (food, drink, rest, movement). We also create an environment that offers the best chance for success. Finally, the Correcting Principle focuses on how we teach new skills. It also explains how we respond to errors when things don’t how we’d hoped.
TBRI and Leadership: A Shared Skillset
While we often separate skills and roles, I believe there is a significant crossover between them. The skills that create a strong leader also make a strong parent or caregiver. I spent much of the last two years training TBRI to agency staff. I saw leaders with big job titles and those who influence from anywhere benefit from TBRI. Leaders should adopt TBRI principles in their pursuit of effective leadership.
The Importance of Connection in Leadership
Even the most skilled professionals need connection. Strong teams and support systems start with leaders who invest in people. Leaders must be mindful of the assumptions they bring to relationships. They must also own their emotional reactions. This helps prevent destroying relationships in a frustrated moment. Leaders should avoid losing sight of the long-term vision for a cohesive team. Effective leaders remember engagement strategies can be practiced. Leaders who are present and make eye contact build better relationships. They also use professional touch (high-fives, handshakes, fist bumps, pats on the back). Leaders who make time for connection-building, instead of rushing into work, foster team resilience. Teams with this resilience can tackle even the most demanding tasks.
Empowerment: Setting Teams Up for Success
The TBRI Empowerment Principle offers much to leaders. Leaders who want to set their teams up for success should apply it. The classic image of empowerment is a grandmother who ensures needs are met before moving on. She makes sure you’re fed, hydrated, and seated comfortably. She also checks the room’s temperature and asks if you have unmet needs. As leaders, we must view our teams and coworkers as humans who need the right inputs. We need the right tools for our complex bodies to work well. A hangry or sleep-deprived brain makes poor decisions. Including ourselves in the empowerment strategy is key. Advocating for well-equipped environments, fair pay, and work-life balance promotes success. Encouraging self-care, full use of PTO, and valuing employees are ways to empower teams toward resilience.
Correcting: Teaching and Responding Effectively
Finally, TBRI includes the Correcting Principle as its third and final principle. This principle often comes last because it builds on connection and meeting needs. We can’t correct effectively unless we first create meaningful connections. TBRI includes proactive correction strategies before fixing mistakes. Proactive strategies teach people what we hope to see. In an organization, this includes clear instructions, training, and low-stakes opportunities for practice. These help team members achieve goals. Once proactive strategies have been addressed, leaders can consider how to correct mistakes. Much has been said about responding to corrections. However, the most important principle is this: Never wreck your connection!
