Lack of Interpersonal Skills

Vincent Williams

One thing I have noticed as I have been going through the standards is that something important is missing.  Interpersonal skills are not being evaluated.  I know there are some educational leaders who do not have the best people skills when communicating with subordinates.  This lack of interpersonal skills could foster a negative culture in the school.  Many teachers may choose not to extend themselves beyond the basic expectations.  The classroom setting could become a place where the best teaching is not taking place.  The teachers will lose trust in the principal and could even start to question their own effectiveness and career choice.  Ultimately, this phenomenon will negatively impact the students.  They say, “Happy wife, happy life.”  Well, it is similar in the schools, a happy teacher could produce more for the students.  As instructional leaders, we want to provide the optimal environment for teaching and learning.  There are a few standards that you can link interpersonal skills with but it is not directly in the standards. 

In the LKES standards, the ones that have an indirect link to interpersonal skills are Instructional leadership, school climate, professionalism, and communication and community relations.  This would be slightly difficult for someone outside to come in and observe but the teachers can evaluate that aspect of it.  Some educational leaders come in and do evaluations and observations on teachers then make the teacher feel bad about themselves.  Every observation should not be a formally submitted one.  Some of them should be for professional development and training.  The leaders should be concerned with the teachers’ growth so that the students could benefit from their development.  I know that when I become a leader, I will make sure that all my subordinates will feel empowered and encouraged.  I am saying this publicly.  So, hold me accountable!