3 Tips for Improving Communication in Your School
“The art of communication is the language of leadership.” – James Humes
Communication is critical for any and every leader. With all that you have on your plate as a school leader, sometimes it is difficult to communicate effectively and clearly to your teachers and staff. Great leaders are also great communicators who ask questions, facilitate dialogue, and listen carefully. Here are 3 tips for improving communication in your school:
- Ask Questions
Instead of spending your time as a school leader giving orders and providing feedback, try turning it back to your staff and asking good questions. Questions will give you the ability to make better decisions and look for areas of improvement. Your teachers should be your guiding light, and out of everyone at your school, they will have the best pulse of how your students are doing and what is needed to facilitate the best learning experience possible.
- Facilitate Dialogue & Listen
Create conversations around certain topics during meetings and staff events to help create a sense of community and trust amongst your team. One of the best ways to do this is to speak less and listen more. The next meeting you’re in, try prompting conversation and then intentionally sitting in silence to see where the conversation is led by your staff.
- Communicate Your WHY
Everyone must have a why for doing things. Enhancing learning and school culture should be your why as a school leader. When communicating with your staff, always tie back your communication to your why. Effective school leaders not only ask good questions and facilitate dialogue, but they also should be sharing what they are doing to help learning succeed.
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