With a new school year underway, it’s a great time to set goals as a leader. Here are five ways you can show communications leadership this school year:
Be proactive, not reactive
As a school leader, you have a bird’s-eye view of all the things that are happening within your district. Your perspective is unique, and the more you can do to share that perspective, the better off you will be.
Show your communications leadership by being proactive. When you are able to communicate about issues before they become problems, you can help your school community see the same big picture that you see. If your school families already know that you are working hard to hire more bus drivers, they won’t be surprised if there is a late pickup one morning.
Proactive communication is an investment in your relationship to the school community – one that can pay crucial dividends during a crisis.
Begin with the end in mind
Communications are most effective when they are goal-driven. Before communicating, ask yourself: What do I hope will happen as a result of this message? Once that goal is clear to you, re-examine your message and ask yourself if it is likely to achieve its goal. You may find that the message needs some retooling to be as effective as possible.
Tune in to your listening posts
The start of the school year is a time of transition. Students, families and staff are adjusting to new schedules and new expectations. To keep your school year moving forward on the right foot, it’s imperative that school leaders are in tune with what’s happening on the “front lines” of your district.
As a leader, make a commitment this school year to tune in to your district’s “listening posts.” Your front office staff, your pickup line monitors, your before- and after-school program staff, your coaches and of course your teachers are your eyes and ears. They will often be the first to hear it if someone has a question or complaint. Make sure you hear what they’re hearing. Little things can become big if they go unaddressed.
Lean in to what you do well
Every leader is different. You have your own unique leadership style, your own personality and your own way of doing things. That unique style should be reflected in all that you do – including communications.
To show communications leadership this year, lean into your strengths. If you know how to work a room, prioritize face time with your staff, your families and your community. If you’re more of a deliberate thinker who takes time to craft a message, put your thoughts into a newsletter. This year, give yourself a chance to shine by doing more of the things that you do best.
Give yourself a chance to shine this year by doing more of the things that you do best.
Pace yourself
A new school year often means new initiatives, and fresh enthusiasm for new projects. Perhaps you have plans to launch a podcast, or you’ve decided to do a weekly video.
It’s exciting to start something new, but sustaining that enthusiasm over the long term requires discipline and planning. Following through on your communications commitments is one of the ways you show leadership to your community, so be sure to set yourself up for success.
Before you launch that new podcast, newsletter or video series, take 15 minutes to sketch out a content plan for the rest of the school year. This gut check can help ensure that you have enough ideas, time and enthusiasm to keep your project in the air long after launch.
Want more support to make your communications shine this school year? Contact Nichols Strategies today to find out how our bespoke approach can help you grow as a leader.