How to Communicate 'CLEAR'ly

You cannot be a great leader without being a great communicator. Most leaders spend the majority of their time interacting with others. If these interactions are poorly managed then it can lead to some serious problems. The power of great communication shouldn’t be underestimated. Great communicators build and maintain good relationships, facilitate innovation and enhance the engagement and productivity of people within any organisation.

There is real need for leaders to focus on their communication to ensure the success of their schools. For communication to be great,  leaders need to spend time reflecting on and planning for quality interactions. Communication is so much more than talk, it is about listening to and  understanding the needs of others, forging relationships and adding value to people. Improving the quality of communication should always be a priority for leaders. 

Here is a simple mnemonic to reflect on how you can make your communication great by being C.L.E.A.R.

C - Communicate with CLARITY
Consider what you and your colleague need from the interaction. Always think about the conversation with the end in mind.  It is like planning any great lesson, you need to have focus on what you want others to take away from it. What is the objective? Is it to build a better relationship, relay a message, encourage reflection or give praise? Ask yourself what you would like to start or stop happening as a result of the conversation. Once you have this focus it will make the interaction simple and effective.

L-LISTEN attentively
When we talk we are not learning anything new. Listening, really listening, with your heart and mind will enable you to properly connect with your colleagues. As Stephen Covey so expertly put it we should be listening to understand rather than listening to respond. listening is like giving someone emotional oxygen, it makes them feel valued, supported and encouraged.  If we are able to understand others  better we are more capable of adapting the message to meet their needs.

E- EXAMINE the situation and cause
What is really happening? When we listen to others we really need to study all the evidence.  What are others saying or not saying ( focus on non-verbal responses)? What is the real issue? When we dig deep into situations we can deal effectively with the root cause rather than managing the symptoms. Fully understanding what is happening means we can eradicate issues rather than implementing a temporary and potentially misguided quick fix. Examining carefully the responses of others allows you to gauge how well you are communicating and identifies any potential issues where you may have a leadership blind spot. The best communicators are expert at reading people.

A- ASK great questions
Far too often when communicating we can make assumptions.  As humans we are experts in judgment and bias, which makes it easy for us to jump to conclusions. Asking open questions ensures that we learning more and finding information. With increased knowledge, facts and a better awareness of the perceptions and perspectives, we can adapt communication to meet the needs of others and our schools.

R-REDUCE your content
Simplicity is always best. How can you say what needs to be said in the fewest words? Think carefully about the message and what is needed and why. Too many words can sometimes mask a message where it can lose its meaning and power.

Prepare and practice your communication in this way and you will be able to drastically reduce the number of communication problems you experience. Ultimately it’s important to know that enhancing your communication skills can only make you a better leader.