Clear as mud

Colleagues,

MVP: Just because you think the message was clear doesn’t mean they understood.
 
This week we are continuing to look at some of the reasons why people don’t do what we want them to. Remember the series is based on a specific scenario that you can refence in the box at the bottom of this email.
 
As a principal or assistant principal, I may have laid out some expectations around the implementation of LETTERS practices. I may think those expectations were clear. Whether I expressed them clearly or not, others may not have clarity on the message.
 
That overwhelmed teacher who is trying to juggle too many things may not have heard or understood what my expectations were. 
 
Instead of assuming the teacher is ignoring or non-conforming, I could begin with asking what they think I want to see. I could also provide key “look-fors” of what implementation of my expectations should look like.
 
As an aside, when you are working with highly skilled people, it might be beneficial to decide collaboratively what implementation should look like. A shared goal is much more powerful than one communicated “from above.”

Cheers!

​Frederick