Book excerpt: Schools need psychological safety, resilience, and trust now more than ever. These are the essential prerequisites of learning for both students and staff. If we are truly going to make schools inviting places where all students can flourish, then educators must be fearless as they build trust and set high expectations. In this book, Douglas Reeves outlines the conditions for such fearlessness, which include refusing to tolerate mediocrity, confronting reality, listening, being candid, and learning from mistakes. He also answers questions such as: • Why is trust so essential to learning? • What are some examples of fearless organizations characterized by high levels of trust? • How can schools support the emotional and mental health of students? Whether you’re an educator, administrator, school leader, policymaker, parent, or student, this book will help you move forward as a fearless school in a fearful environment.