Tom Waters

As a school leader, you are so busy with many things everything! Student data, parent conferences, IEP meetings, faculty meetings, dismissal procedures, student management, human resources, recruitment, policy, curriculum meetings, student programs, budgeting, campus planning, et cetera. Notice the one thing absent from that list? The list should read this way: You are solely responsible for communication, it's easy to get busy with... That difference is huge. Yes, school leaders are solely responsible for communication. Like a floodgate, the school leader can let the communication flow or stop it entirely. Because you are so busy, it's easy for communication to just become another priority - but remember it is the priority.

Three principals go to their schools one day, and each one faces a series of problems, challenges, and frustrations with staff members. The first principal, the Talker, decides to summon the courage and talk candidly with two teachers that she is concerned about. It's not a pleasant thing for the Talker, but she believes transparency and truthfulness build trust and respect . The Faker believes being kind and positive will create the conditions for her campus to thrive. She also has two teachers that she's concerned about, but is fearful of holding an uncomfortable conversation - instead, she fakes a smile and brings in heavy doses of nice . The Shaker also has two teachers that seem to be causing problems on her campus. She shakes things up by deciding to move these two teachers into positions that they will dislike, and she hopes they get the message . The Talker Without a doubt, the Talker tackles discomfort with courage and honesty. If this approach is couche...

Almost no teacher. Very few. Practically none. They don't just quit teaching. But they do quit something. (And Burnout is Real ) Almost all educators who entered the profession did so because they love growth. Teachers love to see children grow. Teachers love to see students learn. School leaders love to watch teachers grow. District and regional leaders love helping people and organizations grow. With all this love, it's illogical that any teacher every quits teaching. Well, they don't. Teachers don't quit teaching, they quit their principals. Here are 4 ways to keep your star teachers from quitting you: Use words to encourage, affirm, and recognize individually and in group settings. There's no cost to words. There's no bank where they run out. Don't be stingy with good words. Visit them often and find the good. If you can't find the good, then it's likely that your lenses need cleaning. You provide great training and support, so...

Assumptions are the short-cuts to random results in relationships. Sometimes they work, sometimes they fail. Candor is the direct path to results in crucial conversations. Candor produces clear communication and understanding in relationships. If you believe in your relationships, you can afford candor. If your relationships are superficial, candor may just be what is needed. Conversations just aren't at optimum quality without it. This is a follow-up to our previous post How to Navigate Crucial Conversations . What is Candor and Why do School Leaders need it? Consider the following potential conflicts: Someone didn't complete a task.  A teacher didn't fulfill your expectation.  A parent is suddenly upset and calls the school board.  Your leadership team is quieter than normal at your three previous meetings. Your assistant superintendent seems to have stopped visiting your campus, and you're not sure why.  The worst response is to make ...