RIGSS Day 4&5: SKILL THAT POWERS LANGUAGE & LEADERSHIP

We think we know and we are good enough. After two days of training on Communication Skills facilitated by Angela Cheung, I realized that we can become even more leader-like in our spoken or written language. It hit me hard with inadequacy and the urge to practice skills learnt to correct limitation in my communication.

Angela Cheung is Managing Director at APV, a video production agency based in Hong Kong. She’s an executive leader, trainer, writer, director and producer. I have never known another prolific persona who inspired me so much in two days. Here are my reflections, and it do not encompass every this I learnt.

Paul J Meyer once said, “Communication-the human connection-is the key to personal and career success.” And he has never been wrong. Like successful politician can have a better edge to win, the competency of diplomats and professionals leverage people with their eloquence at communication skills to understand message strongly and differently. For teachers, communication skill is the primary tool which impact how children learn and speak well.

As principal, a leading intellectual, and a teacher, in an organisation where children look up to as role model for learning, it is important that we are eloquent in our speaking skills. In fact, we must be fluent and flawless to deliver in both Dzongkha and English. How we can influence in how people understand the perspective we project is in how we deliver with some oratory magnanimity. To be able to speak well, we have to have rich repertoire of knowledge and embody the message delivered. The power of message is not merely in the tone and pitch but in the eloquence and sincerity. George Bernard Shaw cautioned that, often, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

Angela Cheung, a Singaporean presenter at RIGSS session for SLDP said, “You weren’t born how to drive; communication skill is just like any other skill. You can grow with practice.” This inspiration is not the first time we have had. The Education Ministry, under the stewardship of the then Lyonpo Norbu Wangchuk initiated a nationwide training to enhance teachers communication skill, expending mammoth resources. How far have we begun to read as many variety of books and as many number since the training we received in 2017 on ‘English for Communication?’ Very few!

Public speaking is a challenge for many of us, whether we speak in Dzongkha or English, in fact, we may be unable to deliver an official note without hiccups. I have often noted that we are unable to consolidate and sequence thoughts with professional expertise. While pronunciation may be some problem, our speech is disrupted by ‘aumm..., and-daaa....and-daaa..., that-taaa..., but-taaaaa..., have-vaa..., with-taa very often between every few sentence and breaths. These disruptions hinder how the message is heard with profundity and clarity, and it is very uncomfortable for listener to rejoice the message. In many cases we begin our talk by ‘Aahhh! Aah!’ unable to gain confidence and sense of readiness. The breakage of speech by so many disruptions and pauses with ‘aaah and and-daa..’ may signify, sadly, lack of confidence and knowledge for the listener. Perhaps for Bhutanese, ‘Las’ and ‘a cough’ could be a better choice than the erratic and unsure start. In a formal setting, we start by ‘Dari-Today!’ which brings focus to what we are about to communicate.

This does not mean that it is unacceptable to have disruptions, but it must not be too much to dilute the message we convey. There is also no need to change our accent to appear eloquent. Angela Cheung encourages us, “ to be yourself, the very best of version of yourself. There is enough American or Australian; be the Bhutanese in your accent.” This is important for retaining the Bhutanese identity. I don’t think Mahatma Gandhi spoke like British although he was educated in England and taught by British!

Brian Tracy, a Canadian-American said, “Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.”

Dr, Guru Raj Karakaji, during the Bhutanese delegate of principal’s visit to India, said at the conference, “We are like an over head tank. If over head tank is empty or even half, the pressure of water flow from the faucet will be less, even trickle. If it is full, the flow will be powerful, consistent and reliable. For school leaders and teachers, we have no limit to what we must know about the world apart from our professional areas. Reading is the tool that not only deepens knowledge but also sharpens our self-awareness and clarity of the world view.

When I do mistake in grammar or fail to give correct information while answering queries, my son comments, “Daddy you a principal how can’t you not know? If even principal don’t know, how will I?” I realise that not only being a good father is important, good message is also important. Therefore, it is important that we raise our profile by how we communicate in public. In a 2014 research by Fabio Paglieri et la, it is found that people trust the messenger first, and then the message. This means our personality, credibility and character as a leader is as essential as a good message to motivate teachers, students and parents.

“We are old now. What difference does it make even if we read? I don’t find time to read, how do you?” I have often listened to this remark from friends and colleagues. When it comes from a teacher, I am seriously concerned. We talk of mindset, we talk of ‘You can’t give, what you don’t have,’ from His Majesty’s quote, we talk of principal’s leadership have impact on students’ learning, and yet there is reluctance to change habits. I think there is no niche to be complacent when every day we impact students. If Professional developments we have participated in the past have not changed us and if RIGSS training do not bolster us to read, learn, reflect, and bring action into workplaces, we have wasted our time and national treasury.

Amidst our leadership role to lead and guide, manage and administer hundreds and thousands of students, and teacher too, it is difficult to manage time for personal growth and reflection. However, I try to reflect through some reading and writing, and often learn from others during official gathering to propel my knowledge to be a better leader everyday. Although reading is my lifelong passion, writing my skill and speaking a self-trained talent, I found myself far behind the standard Angela Cheung took us through her sessions. There are many skills I must practice, and I shall. If I cannot grow in my literary skill, how can I expect my teacher and students to learn through my leadership.

In a funny humour, Lop. Kama Tenzin, my friend, Chukha Principal, wittily said, “ Do you know why dinosaurs did not survive the impact of the meteor thousands years ago?”

I replied, wondering why, “ I am not sure?”

He said, with a squeaky smile, “ Because, they did not read!”

We cannot become dinosaurs. We are school leaders.