Strategic Listening for School Leaders

"The author′s observation and analysis of the various aspects of listening certainly point out the ′art of administration′.′Knowing how to listen and accurately interpret what is heard is a true art. Readers should study this very closely."
Richard Flynn, Assistant Professor
College of Education, Murray State University

"The author understands and listens to the needs of the educational leader and provides useful tools for coping with the diverse needs and challenges of the educational environment."
Michael Purdy, Professor of Communication
Governors State University

"Tate and Dunklee provide insights into the needs of the speakers and strategies to improve listening effectiveness, illustrating how enhancing listening skills would benefit the entire school culture."
Katherine Taber, Principal
Jefferson Elementary School, Norman, OK

Develop strategic listening skills to help advance your overall communication expertise!

The ability to communicate effectively with multiple constituencies is recognized as an essential characteristic of effective leaders. Listening strategically is a way of showing parents, students, faculty, staff, and others that their ideas and beliefs are of value. Jeannine Tate and Dennis Dunklee′s practitioner-friendly book concentrates on the importance of listening as a critical interpersonal skill for school leaders in guiding their organizations. Strategic Listening for School Leaders offers valuable, practical insights and research on how listening, serious conversation, and thoughtful dialogue strengthen school leaders′ ability to understand others′ strengths, motivations, and weaknesses. By learning to listen, the authors demonstrate how a leader can bring out the best in everyone.

Focusing on an effective style of listening, the authors present:

• The basic theories underlying strategic listening
• Succinct examples of strategic listening in practice
• The positive impact of strategic listening on school leadership and school climate

Strategic Listening for School Leaders will help advance your overall communication expertise and open up a whole new world of possibilities for student success. A powerful way to build a professional learning community is to build a community of strategic listeners!