BLT Manual

Facilitating Better Communication

Good communication skills are necessary skillset of good leaders, as they foster a culture of collaboration and trust among colleagues. These conversations help to build strong relationships within the school community, as they provide rational for decisions that were made, help maintain a positive school collaborative climate, and promote inclusive practices. Asking the right types of questions is equally important for teacher leaders because it encourages reflective thinking and deeper understanding. By posing thoughtful, open-ended questions, teacher leaders can challenge their colleagues to think critically about their practices and consider new perspectives. This approach not only promotes professional growth but also empowers teachers to take ownership of their learning and development, ultimately leading to more effective teaching and improved student outcomes. In his book, Better Conversations, Jim Knight provides some key characteristics that help teacher leaders be more credible, caring and connected with others, to help build collective teacher efficacy and maintain a positive school culture. The key topics and features are listed in the table below.

Keys to Better Conversations

Features

Sentence Starters

I see converstaion partners as equals I want to hear what others have to say I believe people should have autonomy I don’t judge others Conversations should be back and forth Commit to really listen Be the listener, not the speaker Pause and think before you respond Don’t interrupt Ask yourself “will my comment open up or close down the conversation?

"Your input is crucial to this decision. How do you think we should approach this?" "Let's work together on this—how can we combine our strengths?" "I want to ensure we're both equally involved in this. What’s your suggestion?" "I can see this is affecting you deeply. Would you like to share more about it?" "It sounds like this has been tough for you. How are you feeling right now?" "I want to understand your experience. Can you help me see it from your perspective?"

Adopt Good Conversation Beliefs & Habits

Listen with Empathy