There are many people I have heard talk from those in team meetings at school, educational seminars, ministers at church and of course, friends.When I think of a competent communicator I think about a person who is engaged throughout the entire communication process, one who uses effective observable behavior, and one who takes the situation into consideration throughout the communication. With this in mind, I think about my current principal, Mrs. Jackson. She manages to display all of these qualities when having a meeting. She does a wonderful job keeping everyone engaged in the communication, as well as showing she is engaged when others are speaking by using very positive nonverbal behaviors. I think about the times I share my thoughts in these meetings and I see her looking at me and nodding her head in response with a smile. Another way she gets us engaged is by communicating in a way they we understand fully and a way that really gets us involved. She does her best to avoid speaking over our heads with fancy terms if possible. Finally, I find her to be the best model because she takes the situation into context during the communication. Some school days in the past have been very challenging and draining, so it is apparent she takes that into consideration when opening the discussions for the day. She also does a wonderful job of remaining on the topic of our students, and knowing what is okay to discuss/share and what is not.
Knowing how I feel being the other person in the conversation, I would love to model some of Mrs. Jackson's communication behaviors. She does a wonderful job of truly making you feel like everything you say is important to her, and also does a wonderful job remaining positive and professional in communication even if she might not feel up for it sometimes (which has to happen at some point).
Great post Jo, another great class with you. I always wished i was a great speaker in front of crowds but this is my goal before my the new year to achieve.
ReplyDeleteJo Ann,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful it must be to work with a supervisor with those traits. I agree it must be challenge for her sometimes, as I am sure she faces challenges throughout the day as well. It speaks to her professionalism that she always maintains her communication skills.
Jo Ann:
ReplyDeleteWhat communicative qualities, verbal and nonverbal, does your principal display during meetings that add to the communicative value of the conservations at hand?
She is always well prepared. So she uses alot of PowerPoints or example work to back up what she is saying. I think this is so helpful and important. It holds our attention. She always appears positive (smiling) and keeping good contact with the audience. I now think, even if it was a hot topic she was discussing like low scores, you would never see her anger or anxiety in her nonverbal behavior.
DeleteJo Ann,
ReplyDeleteAs I read your blog, what stuck out to me the most was your sincerity in what you wrote and more specifically the part where you said she made she did not speak over you with fancy terms etc. I liked that, because so many people try to appear to be what they are not, and so with the use of all those fancy words, they were unable to convey their message. Recently on tv, I watch the documentary of the Loving case (first public bi-racial marriage)and as I listen to the case, one of the producer said, Mr. Loving he doesn't speak at all, and Mrs. Loving says a few things, but when she speaks, she speaks volumes... but not only that she spoke in a way that others could relate and understand. It was her speaking for her family and that of the lawyers that overturn the law (a slave law about marriaging those of other race).
Dear Jo Ann,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you have a leader who supports her staff in any way possible. It is hard to find a great leader who can do all those things. Although, I love my principle, I think she can change some things about herself and how she runs our program. Hopefully, one day when I finish my credentials in the early childhood field, I will be able to model some of my Godfathers behaviors, so I can make my staff, children, and their families feel appreciated and loved.