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Bestseller!

How to Say the Right Thing Every Time

Communicating Well With Students, Staff, Parents, and the Public

Second Edition
By: Robert D. Ramsey

Time-tested techniques for communicating effectively with all educational stakeholders!

This user-friendly resource for school leaders provides practical strategies for improving daily interactions with students, colleagues, parents, and the community. Each chapter presents do's and don'ts for effective verbal and written communication in a variety of situations—from public speaking and working with the media to straight talk for approaching students about sensitive topics such as sex, gangs, and substance abuse. This revised edition features:

How-to's for dealing with natural and man-made disasters
A new chapter on differentiating communication to reach a wide audience
A new section on communicating with school board members

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Product Details

Grade Level: K-12
ISBN: 9781412964081
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2008
Page Count: 272
Publication date: July 03, 2008

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This book is not available as a review copy.

Description

"I had several 'ah-ha' moments while reading this book. Kudos to the author for creating a meaningful guide for today's school administrator."
—Marie Blum, Superintendent
Canaseraga Central School District, NY

"A good tool for administrators and teacher leaders with its readability, content emphasis, and real-life examples."
—Russ Bennett, Superintendent
Aurora City Schools, OH

Time-tested techniques for communicating effectively with all educational stakeholders!

For school leaders, being an effective communicator is one of the most vital and sometimes most challenging parts of the job. This user-friendly resource provides practical strategies for improving daily interactions with students, colleagues, parents, and other stakeholders as well as guidelines for avoiding missteps when critical issues arise.

Each chapter presents do's and don'ts for effective verbal and written communication in a variety of situations—from public speaking and working with the media to straight talk for approaching students about sensitive topics such as sex, gangs, and substance abuse. This revised edition also assists educators with:

How-to's for dealing with natural and man-made disasters
A new chapter on differentiating communication to reach a wide audience
A new section on communicating with school board members

Use the tools and real-world examples in this invaluable reference to resolve difficult situations and build positive relationships!

Key features

Strategies for avoiding the 20 biggest communication mistakes
A new section on communicating with school board members
A new chapter on differentiating communication to reach a wide audience of stakeholders
Straight-talk strategies for approaching sensitive topics with students, such as alcohol and drug abuse or national tragedies
Guidelines for conducting productive parent-teacher conferences, including what to say to angry adults
Strategies for effective public speaking and handling performance reviews, job interviews, media interviews, and special ceremonies

Author(s)

Robert D. Ramsey

Robert D. Ramsey is a lifelong educator who has served as a "leader of leaders" in three award-winning school districts in two different states. His frontline experience includes positions a teacher, counselor, assistant principal, curriculum director, assistant superintendent, acting superintendent, and adjunct professor. Most recently, he has served as associate superintendent in the St. Louis Park (MN) schools, where every school has been designated by the federal government as a National School of Excellence. Ramsey is now working full-time as a freelance writer in Minneapolis.

Table of Contents

List of Boxes

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

1. The Twenty Biggest Communication Mistakes School Leaders Make and How to Avoid Them

The Top Twenty Reasons Educators Fail to Communicate

The Jargon Trap

Euphemisms Feel Good but Don’t Send a Clear Message

Too Much Political Correctness Can Send Wimpy Messages

How Straight Talk Can Make You a Better School Leader

When the Right Thing to Say Is “Nothing”

More “Must-Do” Tips for Always Saying the Right Thing

2. How to Say the Right Thing to Students

Ten Guidelines for Communicating With Students

Straight Talk Is the Language of Choice With Kids

How to Talk to Young Children on Their Level

How to Talk to Today’s Teenagers

Differences in Talking to Boys and Girls

Another Dozen Do’s and Don’ts for Saying the Right Things to Kids of All Ages

How to Give Clear Directions and Instructions Every Time

Socrates Had It Right: How to Ask Effective Questions

How to Give Students “Pep Talks” That Really Work

How to Give Authentic Praise

How to Help Kids Talk Themselves Into Success

Rhetoric-Free Reprimands

Dealing With Touchy Topics (Alcohol, Drugs, Sex, Eating Disorders, and Other At-Risk Behaviors)

How to Talk to Kids About Death and Dying

How to Talk to Tough Kids (Including Gang Members)

How to Talk to Kids About School Violence

How to Talk to Kids About National Tragedies

3. How to Say the Right Thing to Parents

What to Say to Put Parents at Ease

Success Secrets for Communicating “Must-Know” Information

Straight Talk at Parent-Teacher Conferences

How to Explain Grades and Test Scores

How to Share Good News With Parents

How to Break Bad News (Failure, Retention, Disciplinary Action, Athletic Ineligibility)

Don’t Beat Around the Bush About Bad Behavior

How to Talk to Parents About Student Secrets, Surprises, and Other Sensitive Subjects (Dependency, Pregnancy, Homosexuality)

What to Say to Angry, Out-of-Control Parents and Other Adults

More Pointers for Saying the Right Thing to Parents

4. How to Say the Right Thing to Peers and Colleagues

Successful Job Interviews: How to Ask the Right Questions and Give the Right Answers

How to Ask for and Offer Help to Peers and Colleagues

How to Give Advice

The Language of Coaching and Mentoring

How to Argue and Win

The Proper Art of Bitching: How to Complain About the System and the People in It

How to Criticize a Colleague Without Losing a Friend

What to Say and Not Say When Giving References and Recommendations

What to Say and How to Say It in Performance Reviews

How to Pay Tribute to a Colleague

How to Say the Right Thing to the Central Office

How to Say the Right Thing to the School Board

5. How to Say the Right Thing to the General Public and the Media

Smooth Schmoozing: How to Make Small Talk

How to Sway Opinion and Persuade Nonbelievers

How to Handle Complaints From the Public

How to Make the Most of Good News

Truth in Taxation

How to Ask for Money

“Houston, We Have a Problem”: What to Say When Trouble Strikes

How to Apologize and Admit Mistakes to the Public

Spin-Doctoring for Amateurs

Dealing With the Media: What to Say to Reporters

Do’s and Don’ts of Public Speaking for School Leaders

6. How to Say the Right Thing in Special Situations

Secrets of Successful Ceremonial Greetings

How to Give and Receive Compliments

How to Show Appreciation and Say “Thank You”

How to Say “No” and Make It Stick

Tips on Testifying

Advice for Leading Prayers, Giving Invocations, and Pronouncing Benedictions

What to Say to Someone Who Is Not Going to Get Well

How to Express Sympathy

How to Give a Eulogy

7. How to Say the Right Thing in Writing

Writing Is Different—or Is It?

A No-Nonsense Writing Clinic for School Leaders

Interoffice Memos: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Cyber Straight Talk: Making the Most of Electronic Messages

Real-World Report Writing

How to Say the Right Thing in Business Letters

Correct Forms of Address for Letters to Special Public Figures

How to Write Straight-to-the-Point Press Releases and News Items

8. How to Say the Right Thing With Gestures and Body Language

How the “Silent Language” Speaks Volumes

Avoid Sending Mixed Messages

Understanding the Vocabulary of Body Language

Using the Power of Gestures

Stay out of Trouble: Avoid the Pitfalls of Different Meanings for Different Groups

Smile, You Really Are on Candid Camera

9. How to Target Communication to All Stakeholders

Tale of the Tail: Customizing Communication

Old Stand-bys Aren’t Enough

New Tools for Saying the Right Thing to Everyone

One Strategy That Works With All Stakeholders

A 7-Step Code for Saying the Right Thing

More Ready-to-Use Tips for Targeting Messages to Specific Audiences

How to Be a Communications Hero

A Final Word

Resources

Resource A. 101 Ways to Be a Better Communicator Starting Tomorrow Morning

Resource B. What Others Say About Communication: Quips, Quotes, and Anecdotes

References

Index

Reviews

"I had several ‘ah-ha’ moments while reading this book. I cannot imagine anyone reading this and not finding it worthwhile. Kudos to the author for creating a meaningful guide for today’s school administrator."

Marie Blum, Superintendent
Canaseraga Central School District, NY

"A good tool for administrators and teacher leaders for its readability, content emphasis, and real-life examples."

Russ Bennett, Superintendent
Aurora City Schools, OH

Other Titles in: Communication | Leadership

Select Format:

Review Copies

This book is not available as a review copy.