Communicating Effectively With Parents and Students
The best and most efficient workplaces have a great atmosphere of open communication. People are informed about key issues, listened to with respect, and invited to share their opinions. They contribute openly and work together to solve problems. Both the organisation and its people grow in strength and effectiveness. In such environments, time is rarely wasted on back-stabbing, moaning, gossip and distorted situations. If a nasty person slides in the back door, stirring up mud and muck as they go, the leadership of a well-run organisation typically has the support of the majority.
The lies, half-truths and innuendo of such a person don’t stick, for the fuel to their fire is misinformation and poor communication. This article covers both communication and coaching. Communication because without it, we have chaos, and coaching because communicating with others is one long learning opportunity (for both sides).
I like the words of Don Dickins. If every institution operated on Don’s principles, things would be great almost all the time! “Be kind and friendly. It helps you relax and think. And learn to love
– love your work, your people, your kids, your landscape and your staff. They will do stuff for you that you don’t have time to do; they’ll enjoy it because you appreciate what they do.”
Connect Before Correct
From senior leader Andrew Pardoe- Burnett: “Our school catch phrase, in relation to our students, is, ‘Connect before correct.’”The key is to know your people first. If you don’t attempt to build rapport (connect) before trying to correct a situation, you could struggle
as a teacher. Take the time – it’s an investment. With the staff, are they observing the right things? Do they go beyond their job description to get to know their students? This is especially important in a small community.
If someone doesn’t have the skills necessary to build meaningful connections in their community and with their colleagues, I strongly recommend getting coaching and help to develop strategies. Rapport doesn’t come naturally for everyone. Possibly the most valuable aid I had as a young senior leader was the support of a very skilled colleague.
She wasn’t afraid to give me honest feedback as to how I was perceived by others. I learnt many valuable lessons. I also had a mentor whom I trusted. He provided me (and still does) with some very honest feedback about me as a person and helped me accordingly – some of the best training I’ve ever had.”
Andrew’s advice works on all levels. I suspect all of us can think of times when we’ve jumped into a situation, only to find that if we’d listened more and reacted less, there would have been a better outcome. How will you connect this year, with students, staff, parents and the community?