Blame the Messenger: Avoiding Communication Mistakes

How often has a great idea been undermined by a mediocre or weak presentation? Ineffective oral communication can be costly. This presentation introduces a framework for building and performing talks for all of the audiences leaders address. Learn strategies for creating compelling messages, and tips for delivering engaging, powerful talks.

Most education leaders have had no instruction in presentation skills, and the resulting ineffective oral communication can be costly. Great ideas are undermined by a mediocre or weak presentation, education leaders unintentionally hurt staff morale, and many initiatives are DOA because of the way the message was designed and/or delivered by the presenter. Doctoral programs, principal licensure programs, and leadership resources (e.g., magazines, conferences) discuss data analysis, DEI, RTI, assessment, and more but never offer specific instruction about how to communicate effectively to the incredibly diverse audiences leaders address. Leadership is a highly verbal business, but leaders get no preparation for the demands of the job.

This presentation addresses that issue. Clarifying that all speaking involves two distinct parts, what is done BEFORE we speak and what is done AS we speak, the session offers a framework for creating more compelling messages for all of the audiences leaders address and a framework for delivering those messages in a powerful, engaging way. Attendees will learn how to avoid common mistakes leaders make that undercut their messages, will learn the specific steps needed to create powerful, engaging talks for the diverse audiences leaders address, and will learn the skills needed for delivering messages for high impact.

Presented by

Erik Palmer

Consultant

Erik Palmer Consulting

ASCD & ISTE Author

Erik Palmer is a consultant, speaker, and author from Denver. He shows educators how to help students become confident, competent oral communicators in all situations and how to improve their own communication skills. Erik has worked with schools and districts across the United States and around the world. He is the author of six books including Teaching the Core Skills of Listening & Speaking (ASCD, 2013), Well Spoken: Teaching Speaking to All Students (Taylor & Francis, 2024), and the Before You Say a Word: A School Leader’s Guide to Clear and Compelling Communication.(ASCD, 2024). You can contact him at www.erikpalmer.net.