Let’s be honest—when we talk about teacher retention, we usually jump straight to things like salaries, workload, or prep time. And yes, those factors matter. But one of the most cited reasons teachers leave the profession is simple: they don’t feel heard.

A 2022 report from the RAND Corporation found that more than 50% of teachers who left the profession cited a lack of administrative support or voice in decision-making as a primary factor. That’s a problem no bonus can solve on its own. This is where real leadership shows up—not just by being visible, but by actively listening. Not performative listening with a “noted, thanks” response. We’re talking about authentic, responsive listening—the kind that leads to real changes in how schools operate.

Harry Wong has long emphasized that a teacher’s sense of stability comes from clear systems and the feeling of being respected in those systems. Likewise, Fred Jones reminds us that “positive working relationships are the foundation of a productive classroom”—and that includes relationships with leadership. When educators are consistently talked to rather than with, their engagement drops. They start to detach. But when they’re asked for their input—and see it taken seriously? That’s when trust builds. And trust is where retention lives.

Let’s be clear: authentic listening isn’t passive. It takes humility. It means letting go of assumptions and being willing to hear hard truths. As the Learning Policy Institute notes, schools that actively involve teachers in decision-making have significantly lower turnover rates—especially in high-poverty schools where turnover tends to be highest.

So what can you do this week? Start small. Host a 10-minute open forum. Ask an open-ended question like, “What’s one thing slowing you down this month?”—and follow up on the answers. Listening isn’t just an interpersonal skill; it’s a leadership strategy. Retention doesn’t start with another policy. It starts with a conversation. With a relationship. With the kind of school culture where teachers feel respected, trusted, and valued—not just as employees, but as professionals.

And when that happens? People stay.