This session highlights simple strategies educators and school leaders can implement in their quest to improve communications and relationships with others.

1. Drew D. Gerdes
National Administrator’s Conference
Lutheran Education Association
February 2015

2. 
You are welcome to view this
presentation and many more at:
www.slideshare.net/dgerdes
View This Presentation

3. 
Welcome!
Who would like to lead
this session?
Why are we afraid of
speaking?

4. 
We are involved in ministry.
Ministry is about relationships.
Relationships require communication.
Reality Is…

5. 
Who Do We
Communicate With?
How we communicate
with each of these
groups varies.
Individual
Group
There are various
aspects of what and
why we want or need
to communicate to
these groups or
individuals.

6. 
Thankfully…!!!
With intentional practice
and utilization, you can
become a better
communicator!
You can become a better
listener!
You can become more
effective!
Early Childhood
Educators play a highly
critical role in
communicating with
families…

7. 
Resources…
Robert Bolton John Maxwell

8. 
Success/Failure/Stress
According to Bolton, most
people fail or experience
stress at work simply
because they don’t relate
well with other people.
Everyone benefits when
people play well together.
What can you do?
According to Maxwell…
SMILE!!! 
How can you add value to
others?
Just listen.

9. 
To Consider…

10. 
The Ultimate
Communicator…
Jesus often spent time
with people…He built
relationships with
them…He listened to
them…He added value to
their lives…He forgave
them!
It isn’t always about being
right and winning.

11. 
Communication Barriers
Some barriers may occur
in communication when
one party has specific,
strong needs.
Be aware of:
Judging
Sending Solutions
Avoiding Concerns

12. 
Judging:
“That was a stupid thing to do.”
“You don’t seem do get it.”
Sending Solutions:
“You should…” “If you would just…”
Avoiding Concerns:
“Well when that happened to me…”
Altering the topic…
Be Aware…

13. 
Listening
Listening takes up more
waking hours than
anything else we do.
The quality of our
relationships depends in
listening.
Listening is much more
than hearing.

14. 
Smile…Nod…Affirm…WATCH BODY LANGUAGE!!!
“In the big scheme of life, does this really matter?”
“Does this person really want me to act on something, or
does she really just want me to listen?”
“What are some ideas you have?”
“What can I do to possibly help?”
As We Listen…

15. 
Early Childhood Listening
Early childhood leaders
are BUSY people!
We hear, but need to make
sure we listen.
How can we filter through
the “stuff” that comes our
way?

16. 
How Can It Be Easier?
Proactive vs. Reactive
Can we communicate
more effectively so it
becomes less likely that
we will need to react and
“fix” something?
Technology

17. 
Which Is Best?
In person
Phone
Text
Email
Website
Picture
Leaders need to know what
is most appropriate and
most effective for the
situation/topic being
communicated.
“Just wanted you to know
Jimmy’s having a hard
day at school.”

18. 
Staff
So many people
So many personalities
So many issues
“Everyone benefits when
we play nicely together.”
We need to do what we
tell the children!

19. 
As leaders, we are the ones who model highly effective
methods of communication and share the reasoning
why we feel they are effective and worthwhile.
Some teachers may need a little help in communicating:
with co-workers, kids, and parents.
How will we help all staff in their success?
Helping Teachers/Staff

20. 
Often Times…
When a parent “blows
up”…
Increased expectations
Economic pressures
Parenting difficulties
Time constraints
Previous encounters
Old feelings
When we do all we can to
build a relationship and
KNOW people, we have a
better chance of
understanding the
reasoning for something.

21. 
Be Intentional and
Informational
Written communication is
the most effective and
efficient way to provide
ongoing correspondence
between home and school.
As we strive for high
levels of communications
between home and
school…
I never want a parent to
come to me and say “I was
never told that
information.”

22. 
Meet My Friend…
Would you ever argue
with Mr. Rogers?
Simple…less is more!
Clear…Slow
Easy to understand
Easy to talk to and with

23. 
Ministry Communications
As ministry leaders, we
often have the task of
communicating with the
congregation as well as
leaders in the
congregation.
Have you ever said:
“They just don’t get it”
What CAN you share, and
HOW CAN YOU BEST
share?
What gifts do you have
that will help you be a
better communicator?

24. 
It’s About The Kids!
What can the kids
communicate about
ministry?
How can you include
them in your
communications?
Video…Picture…Drawing

25. 
My Prayer…
Always
remember to turn
your hearts and
minds to Jesus!
He is the ultimate
communicator!

26. 
In A Nutshell…
We are messy people
(sinners), who will always
make mistakes and make
things even messier.
Thankfully, we are forgiven
and always will be.
Know it’s a learning
opportunity!

27. 
Drew D. Gerdes
Early Childhood Director
Messiah Lutheran School
Weldon Spring, Missouri
Email: dgerdes@messiahnetwork.org
Twitter: @ddgerdes
Facebook: Education Ease
My Contact Info…