Communication

The whole area of communication is very broad, when it relates the school’s administrator. This section we will take a look at several aspects of communication. We will take a look at what some of the “experts” might suggest to us as well as look at some specific ideas as it applies to staff, students and the community around us.

Typically when we look at developing the characteristics we wish to achieve we try to learn the right things to do as opposed to the wrong things we shouldn’t do. But perhaps we can learn something from knowing the types of mistakes leaders tend to make. Most of the shortcomings and mistakes school administrators make fall into the category of poor human relations.

Bulach, Boothe, and Pickett (1997) asked 375 Georgia educators who were enrolled in graduate programs to list and rank the types of mistakes their administrators made. Fifteen categories of mistakes were identified. Poor human-relations skills and poor interpersonal-communications skills were high on the list. Lack of trust and an uncaring attitude were the two behaviours most frequently associated with this category of mistakes. The idea here is that if the person perceives that their principal does not care it is also likely that trust will also not be there.

Other mistakes associated with this area were the failure to give warm feelings, failure to circulate with staff and failure to compliment staff. Generally, administrators who display these shortcomings are more task-oriented as opposed to people-oriented. Being abrasive, arrogant, aggressive or uncaring impedes the development and support among teachers, parents and the community.

What One Skill is Most Essential for Effective Communication?

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood,” recommends Stephen Covey (1990). He, and many others, believe this precept is paramount in interpersonal relations. To interact effectively with anyone – teachers, students, community members, even family members – you need first to understand where the person is “coming from.” Next to physical survival, Covey observes, “the greatest need of a human being is psychological survival – to be understood, to be affirmed, to be validated, to be appreciated.” When you listen carefully to another person, you give that person “psychological air.” Once that vital need is met, you can focus on influencing or problem-solving. Richard Gemmet (1977) tells us that, “Good listeners don’t interrupt, especially to correct mistakes or make points; don’t judge; think before answering; face the speaker; are close enough to hear; watch nonverbal behaviour; are aware of biases or values that distort what they hear; look for the feeling and basic assumptions underlying remarks; concentrate on what is being said; avoid rehearsing answers while the other person is talking; and don’t insist on having the last word.” Whether you are communicating with one person or a group, nonverbal messages play an important role. Kristen Amundson (1993) notes that one study found 93 percent of a message is sent non-verbally, and only 7 percent through what is said. Doreen S. Geddes (1995) offers the following pointers:

Body Orientation – To indicate you like and respect people, face them when interacting. Posture – Good posture is associated with confidence and enthusiasm. It indicates our degree of tenseness or relaxation. Observing the posture of others provides clues to their feelings. Facial Expression – Notice facial expressions. Some people mask emotions by not using facial expression; others exaggerate facial expression to belie their real feelings. If you sense contradictions in verbal and nonverbal messages, gently probe deeper. Eye Contact – Frequent eye contact communicates interest and confidence. Avoidance communicates the opposite. Use of Space – The less distance, the more intimate and informal the relationship. Staying behind your desk when someone comes to visit gives the impression that you are unapproachable. Personal Appearance – People tend to show more respect and respond more positively to individuals who are well-dressed, but not overdressed.