Communication Skills for Leaders

Have you heard of ASCD? I receive their magazine “Educational Leadership” monthly. At the end of the magazine, there is a section called, “Tell Me About A Time…” where readers (just like us!) can write in on specific topics. So, of course, I did!

The topic was: Communications Skills for Leaders

From teachers to principals, formal and informal leaders must communicate well to forge a strong school climate and enhance learning. This issue will examine how school leaders can keep communication transparent and supportive. How can teachers, coaches, resource specialists, and other professionals communicate with one another constructively? How can leaders build strong connections with students, families, and business partners; use social media effectively; talk with teachers in ways that promote their professional growth; hold the inevitable tough conversations; communicate clearly in school crises; and shape their school’s image?

Here are my thoughts:

Communication is at the heart of every success or failure; its all dependent on the amount of successful discussion that takes place.

There is a lot of stress in the educational world these days- new standards, changes in leadership, inconsistent teacher evaluations, increased workload, and varied parental support in classrooms and schools. Teachers are doing all that they can to keep their head above water for their own health and sanity.

I have had the pleasure of learning under the tutelage of great leaders and some less successful ones. The great thing is that each person I came into contact with helped me define myself as a leader. I gathered first-hand experience with what did and didn’t work from those that lead me. Although I had leaders of varying races, ages, and experience levels, their success as a leader always came down to how well they communicated to those they worked for and with. It seems simple to be successful-just communicate. However, communication is a can of worms when you try to open it. One must be intentional, honest, and willing to really “hear” the other person when communicating. What one realizes is that communication really isn’t that easy after all.

The topic posed for discussion in this ASCD publication raises numerous important questions that have to be answered in order for school systems nationwide to start making some real upward progress.

Primary, the question “how can teachers, coaches, resource specialists, and other professionals communicate with one another constructively” reminds me how we are all in this together. It doesn’t say how can teachers communicate with (insert staff title), rather it says how can they communicate with one another. No one job is more important than the other. They all have a part to play in order to ensure the process is successful. And in this case, the process is educating our future. I believe that teachers play an integral role in the education of children, but they cannot do it alone. Coaches motivate and inspire students to be just as successful in the classroom as they are in the game. Resource specialists help teachers gain information to solve problems and provide accurate accommodations and materials to the necessary students while honoring the interests and unique circumstances of each student. There are also numerous other professionals that come into contact with students. Each one holds one more piece to the puzzle. If a child’s leaders band together and provide their services to their utmost ability, the child thrives. The opposite is also true- if the child’s leaders do not band together then the student suffers. We cannot afford to lose an opportunity to make a difference.I have always believed that you do not need to know all the answers, you just have to know how to get them. This is how the relationship between parties works. Do what you do and do it well. Then reach out to someone else that will help continue to the process to the level at which you started it to ensure the child receives a well-rounded supportive experience.

The next question deals with leaders themselves. This is where the communication breakdown can go awry due to all of the moving parts. I’ll address each one individually, even though they all must work together to bring success to those around them.

• How can leaders build strong connections with students, families, and business partners?

Leaders need to build partnerships with students. They need to invest in them as learners and people. That means, getting on the ground level and talking from one person to another; knowing someone’s name goes a long way.

Leaders need to build partnerships with families. They need to bring them into the conversation and allow them to be part of the decision-making body. Knowing a family’s name also goes a long way.

Leaders need to build partnerships with local businesses. Education is a costly endeavor, especially if you want to do it right. Schools need to be equipped with the proper tools, materials and technology. Oftentimes, schools cannot burden these costs. By partnering with local businesses, the school can benefit by receiving donations while also providing community service back to that businesses. It’s a two-way relationship built on communication and service. One must give to also receive.

• How can leaders use social media effectively?

Social media has developed a negative connotation due to its misuse in a variety of situations. However, when used correctly it can be a powerful tool. First and foremost, anything that goes out on the internet that represents a leader needs to be approved by the leader. Also, any information regarding a specific child must have parental consent. Once these two protocols are met, social media is a great place to showcase the achievements and growth of a company, in this case a school. Parents love seeing their kid’s learning in action. They are proud when their child is chosen for a school social media post. The community can follow the school and see how their donations have positively affected the students in the school. Other businesses in the community might also want to provide donations when they hear all about the wonderful things going on at the school. Thank you social media! What a great outlet to continue positive communication.

• How can leaders talk with teachers in ways that promote their professional growth?

This is my favorite question. So many times teachers and administrators clash because of a lack of communication. A) The leader did not make their expectations known. B) The leader did not let the teacher know where they measured up, if at all. C) The leader did not provide opportunities to grow and develop in order to meet the expectations. D) The teacher did not adhere to the expectations. E) The teacher did not take advantage of opportunities to learn and grow. Most of these situations lay in the hands of the leader. Even in scenarios D and E, the leader has the responsibility to follow up and follow through. If no child is to be left behind, no employee should be left behind either. A personal one-on-one conversation that is respectful of both parties is essential in getting on the same page and moving forward towards success. The leader cannot discount a teacher’s efforts or attempts. They also cannot berate the teacher for not measuring up. They can, however, share the facts and then help create a plan to make up for the deficit. With that being said, the teacher cannot berate the leader for not helping earlier. They cannot also point the finger and place responsibility onto the leader. This relationship is only productive when both parties meet half way and do their part to ensure the success of the whole movement (ie. the school).

So many times, I have seen an opportunity for a conversation that never happened. The leader made excuses for why they could not meet. The teacher made up excuses for why they could not perform. The issue got worse and the two people who could do anything about it, jumped ship. Communication is what will make or break relationships and initiatives this case, the students suffer because of this breakdown that could all have been avoided with one simple and respectful conversation where both parties do their part to contribute to making the problem improve.

• How can leaders hold the inevitable tough conversations?

I mentioned above about one-on-one respectful conversations where the leader shares the facts and then helps develop a path towards productivity. However, I think there are also a lot of steps a leader can take to be proactive before even having to sit down for a tough conversation. For example, sharing expectations up front when coming on board as a leader ensures everyone is on the same page from the beginning. Expectation reminders at weekly staff meetings or monthly bulletins help keep those items in the forefront of other’s minds. Stepping into classrooms and leaving feedback can ensure a minor problem remains minor. Assigning teacher coaches to staff that are in need allow for onsite professional development in the moment where its needed most. These are just some of the ways that leaders can ensure they act before they need to act.

• How can leaders communicate clearly in school crises?

There have been a lot of school crises lately in the news. These circumstances create a lot of pain for those involved. It’s important that those immediately affected are educated about what is going on, but also protected from having their identity shared. This means communicating facts about what occurred and its effects without defacing a family or school body. Those in the school deserve to hear the news first before hearing it from strangers on TV. A leader needs to be cool, calm and collected in order to problem solve during a crisis.

• How can leaders and shape their school’s image?

I think positive social media presence will definitely help get a school name out there as well as what specifically they do that is great. Partnerships with local businesses can help spread the word for what the school has received, how they utilized the donations, and what they provided in return. The one thing that can be very damaging or rewarding is parental support. A neighborhood school can be lifted in praise by the students and their families for a child’s success or degraded for unfair decisions, lack of communication, poor teaching, and a slew of other reasons. If a leader is making solid decisions about what is best for their students, shares progress updates with families and businesses, are seen in the trenches to help their school be its best, then the school image will certainly follow. It is a delicate process.

 What communication skills, in your opinion, are the most important for leaders to possess?

About the author, Gretchen

I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.

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