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www.pdst.ie© PDST 2014

This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 Licence http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ie/. You may use and re-use this material (not including images and logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike Licence.

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• Flipchart and markers

• Bluetack

• Flipchart pages with questions ready for Slide 6

• Highlighter pens in four colours

• Photocopies of Communication Systems Survey

• Photocopies of Communication Audit Questionnaire

Materials required for module

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Participants will…

• Develop an awareness of the importance of communication for a principal

• Have an understanding of the nature of adult communication

• Have developed an understanding and awareness of various communication styles

• Be aware of their own communication style

• Have an understanding of the effectiveness of different modes of communication within their school setting

Key Messages

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Cumarsáid -Communication

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What is communication?

Communis

Communion

Communism

Community

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Communication is the process of creating shared understandingBarker, A. 2006

Why is communication so important for you in your role?

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1. What information/ knowledge do you need to share?

2. When and to whom do you show empathy/ awareness?

3. Where are the occasions when consultation & dialogue will produce shared ownership?

4. When and with whom might you have to build bridges?

5. Why and what opportunities are there to show affirmation?

Role and purpose of effective communication

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Communication Types

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It’s Not what you say…

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Effective Communication includes…

• Empathy• Discretion

• Context

• Tact

• Sensitivity

• Listening

• Awareness of people

• Two way street• Being professional

• Timing

• Language

• Ethics

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Communication Systems

• Weekly meetings

• Notice in staff post boxes

• Designated notice boards

• Memos

• Intercom

• Person to Person

• Phone Calls

• Text alert

• Questionnaires & Surveys

• Whiteboard/ message board

• Reports• Letters• Advertisements• Newsletter• Posters• E-Mail• Staff Handbook• Circular• Deputy Principal• Secretary

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Communication … My Way

Openly Aggressive Assertive

Passive Aggressive Passive

THOUGHT GIVEN TO OTHERS

I am direct in expressing MY

needs, want & opinions;

I give no thought to others.

I ensure indirectly that everyone

knows my needs, wants & opinions

& understand they take precedence.

I do not express my needs, wants

& opinions directly.

I put others’ needs above my own.

I express clearly MY needs,

want & opinions in a way which is

considerate of others.

High

HighLow

D

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Communication Styles

I WIN, YOU LOSE I WIN, YOU WIN

I LOSE, YOU LOSE I LOSE, YOU WIN

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Effective educational leaders use both formal and informal communication to build relationships, partnerships, teams and networks.

Duignan, P. 2012

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You cannot not communicate

Watzlawick, P

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Educational Leadership Together: Creating Ethical Learning Environments

Patrick Duignan, 2012

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