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No matter what your role, if you are a leader there is no doubt that you send a lot of information-e-mails, letters, memos, phone calls, newsletters, Web sites-that are all important parts of your efforts. However, sending information is one-side of the effective communication equation. Listening and receiving information completes the formula.
In your busy day, how can you listen to the many people you serve? A very easy idea is to host a chat! Parent chats, staff chats, community chats, any chat. Make yourself available on a regularly scheduled basis, and at different times of the day and different times of the school year. Publicize the date, the time, and the place. Bill it "Staff Chat with the Superintendent" or "Parent Chat with Mr. Jones." Keep it a bit informal, but do come ready to share key messages about your district's current needs, successes, and challenges. However, it is a two-way conversation and if attendees have issues to discuss, be flexible and allow the conversation. Chats do require some risk taking. You may have one, five, or 20 people attend. It doesn't matter how many people come. It matters that you are willing to take pause and listen. Two-way communication builds open, solid relationships. Take a pause and listen.
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