it . Remember , when delivering your message , be sure to control your body language and use it to your advantage . Use your voice as a tool to build credibility with your audience and keep your emotions under control at all times .
Sue Kaiser , assistant superintendent of educational services in the Monrovia School District , reminds herself of centering oneself before speaking , especially about the Dashboard , sharing : “ As we look at these data , we see in the rear-view mirror where we have come from , and this look informs our view through the windshield as we make necessary improvements in our journey forward . Practicing messages with clarity and intentionality is critical .”
The use of bridging phrases
Much like the sentence starts we previously mentioned , here are some specific phrases that are instrumental in shifting conversations , responding to fake news , and hitting a point home . These bridging phrases should be printed out and taped to the side of your computer , so you can regularly refer to them and infuse them in presentations , question / answer sessions , in board meetings , and in emails , particularly with the media .
• “ If you ’ re not going to listen to anything today , listen to this ...”
• “ I think the core issue you are addressing here is ...”
• “ I can ’ t speak to X ’ s motives , but what I can tell you is ...”
• “ At the same time …”
• “ To the contrary ...”
• “ What is really at stake here is ...”
• “ To go a step further ...”
• “ Let me share some facts relevant to that ...”
• “ I respectfully disagree ...”
Skilled presenters and public speakers know the value of bridging phrases . They are key shifters of focus that you need to have handy to increase the professionalism of your presence .
Napa Valley Unified School District Superintendent Patrick Sweeney knows the value of bridging phrases . He reflected , “ I began using phrases like this with difficult audiences . They are invaluable when responding to misinformation and for clarifying key points .”
Final tips
Remember , you ’ ve got this ! Be confident ; don ’ t wing it . Be prepared . Create a framework from which to work . Know your audience and tailor your message to resonate with them . Use notes , not a fully written out script , and keep your remarks organized . Simple is always best , and whenever possible , weave a story into your remarks to carry the message and make the point stick .
The Dashboard can be effectively maneuvered to inform practice in your school and district . The how of its communication is up to you .
ACSA President Lisa Gonzales is assistant superintendent , educational services in Dublin USD , and ACSA President-elect Holly Edds is assistant superintendent , ed services in Orcutt Union SD . Both recently attended the Master Class on Advocacy Communication , hosted by the Alliance for Continuous Improvement . 22 Leadership
it. Remember, when delivering your mes-
sage, be sure to control your body language
and use it to your advantage. Use your voice
as a tool to build credibility with your audi-
ence and keep your emotions under control
at all times.
Sue Kaiser, assistant superintendent of
educational services in the Monrovia School
District, reminds herself of centering oneself
before speaking, especially about the Dash-
board, sharing: “As we look at these data, we
see in the rear-view mirror where we have
come from, and this look informs our view
through the windshield as we make neces-
sary improvements in our journey forward.
Practicing messages with clarity and inten-
tionality is critical.”
The use of bridging phrases
Much like the sentence starts we previ-
ously mentioned, here are some specific
phrases that are instrumental in shifting
conversations, responding to fake news,
and hitting a point home. These bridging
phrases should be printed out and taped to
the side of your computer, so you can regu-
22
Leadership
larly refer to them and infuse them in pre-
sentations, question/answer sessions, in
board meetings, and in emails, particularly
with the media.
• “If you’re not ������Ѽ����ѕ��Ѽ����ѡ���)ѽ��䰁���ѕ��Ѽ�ѡ�̸���t+����q$�ѡ����ѡ����ɔ����Ք��ԁ�ɔ����ɕ�ͥ��)��ɔ��̸���t+����q$�����eЁ������Ѽ�c�é��ѥٕ̰���Ёݡ�Ё$)����ѕ����ԁ�̸���t+����qЁѡ��ͅ���ѥ�����t+����qQ��ѡ������Ʌ�丸��t+����q]��Ё�́ɕ���䁅Ё�х�����ɔ��̸���t+����qQ��������ѕ�����ѡ�ȸ���t+����q1�Ё���͡�ɔ�ͽ�������́ɕ��م�ЁѼ)ѡ�и���t+����q$�ɕ����љձ�䁑�ͅ�ɕ�����t)M��������ɕ͕�ѕ�́�����Չ������������)���܁ѡ��م�Ք�����ɥ��������Ʌ̸͕�Q��䁅ɔ)���͡��ѕ�́�������́ѡ�Ё�ԁ�����Ѽ���ٔ)�����Ѽ����ɕ�͔�ѡ���ɽ���ͥ�����ʹ���)��ȁ�ɕ͕����)9����Y�����U�������M���������ɥ�ЁMԴ)��ɥ�ѕ����ЁA��ɥ���Mݕ���䁭���́ѡ�)م�Ք�����ɥ��������Ʌ̸͕�!��ɕ����ѕ����q$)�������ͥ�����Ʌ͕́�����ѡ�́ݥѠ�������ձ�)�Ց�����̸�Q��䁅ɔ���م�Յ����ݡ���ɔ�)���������Ѽ���ͥ���ɵ�ѥ���������ȁ���ɥ��)������������̻�t)�����ѥ��)I������Ȱ��eٔ���Ёѡ�̄� ������������)����eЁݥ����и� ���ɕ��ɕ���
ɕ�є����Ʌ���)ݽɬ��ɽ��ݡ����Ѽ�ݽɬ��-��܁��ȁ�Դ)�����������х���ȁ��ȁ���ͅ���Ѽ�ɕͽ��є)ݥѠ�ѡ����U͔���ѕ̰���Ё���ձ���ɥ�ѕ�����)͍ɥ�а������������ȁɕ��ɭ́�ɝ���镐�)M�������́��݅�́���а�����ݡ���ٕȁ���ͤ�)�����ݕ�ٔ����ѽ�䁥�Ѽ���ȁɕ��ɭ́Ѽ������)ѡ�����ͅ������������ѡ������Ё�ѥ���)Q����͡���ɐ�������������ѥٕ�䁵����ٕɕ�)Ѽ�����ɴ��Ʌ�ѥ��������ȁ͍�������������ɥ�и)Q�����܁�����́����չ���ѥ����́���Ѽ��Ը)
M�Aɕͥ���Ё1�̈́���酱�́�́��ͥ�х��)����ɥ�ѕ����а���Ս�ѥ�����͕�٥��́��)Չ����UM������
M�Aɕͥ���е�����)!������́�́��ͥ�х�Ё����ɥ�ѕ����а���)͕�٥��́���=ɍ��ЁU�����M�� �Ѡ�ɕ���ѱ�)��ѕ�����ѡ��5��ѕȁ
���́����ٽ����)
���չ���ѥ�������ѕ����ѡ�������������)
��ѥ�ս�́%��ɽٕ���и