Hensley & Burmeister (2009) outline six "leadership connectors" that help develop healthy relationships in schools. The first connector is communication. I plan to continue to work on improving my communication skills, both personally and professionally, as I prepare to be a good wife, mother, school leader, and future administrator.
Below are some highlights and take-home lessons from Chapter 1:
-Oral, written, and nonverbal communication needs to be consistent, sincere, honest, and humble
"Everything you say and do shapes people's opinions and feelings about you..."
-Saying "thank you" and giving credit to others can help develop a positive tone and culture of respect
-Listening is more important than speaking...
-"Framing" is a powerful tool to achieve a vision and must be used with integrity
-Optimism can turn problems into opportunities...
"You are creating a school focused on illumination, not on missteps in the darkness, a school that names its strengths and tackles its weaknesses without excuses, setting a path to overcome them..."
-Be proactive, rather than reactive
-Building consensus can be a powerful tool for building relationships
-Watch, listen, empathize, and appreciate others!
"The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said..." - Marilyn Drucker
I thought the "Framing" section was of great value, too. It is definitely a skill I want to develop more. Knowing how to make a perceived negative situation into a positive situation would be so crucial in communicating with parents, faculty, students, and the community. While it can seem conniving, I think it's important to be able to coach up with words and look ahead. They should've taught us those skills in our under-grad Comm class!
ReplyDeleteReading your post was the second time that I encountered the meaning of optimism today. At church we discussed facing times of crisis, and optimism was referenced- from the Latin optimum, "the best". It's anticipating a positive end, working to optimize the most effective, constructive outcome possible. It is amazing how true this is and how many facets of life to which it applies. Looking at all situations/problems with an optimistic perspective will lead us to improvement of practices in all areas of life. Have a great and optimistic week Theresa! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou made some great points in your reflection. Your statement about optimism turning problems into possibilities was especially powerful... so often we get pulled down by the 'problems' we overlook the fact that it is a learning opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your reflection. As I was reading this chapter I too was thinking not just on how important communication and support are for an administrator, but also in any everyone's personal life. Thanks for sharing.
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