In his book "The Speed of Trust," Stephen Covey identifies trust as the one thing that, if missing, will "destroy the most powerful government, the most successful business, the most thriving economy, the most influential leadership, the greatest friendship, the strongest character, the deepest love." When the Creative-Moniker School District (not its real name) hired the author to serve as the middle school principal and K-12 curriculum director in 2006, he had no idea that, within a few short years, lack of trust would be a major cause of the downfall of a school system leader. With no 10-step program in hand, the author as a newcomer finds relationship building to be the top priority as a superintendent of a small Midwestern school district. The author describes how the prevailing lack of trust has played a significant role in his rapid ascent to the office of the superintendent and challenged him to heal a wounded district and move its students, staff and community forward.