Understanding

“Data is not information, information is not knowledge, knowledge is not understanding, understanding is not wisdom.” – Clifford Stoll

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn't said.” – Peter Drucker

 

One of the speakers at the CAIS annual conference for Heads, Prof. Chris Bart from McMaster, had a stimulating presentation on good governance as it applies to independent schools. He used a variety of tools to ensure that his session struck the right balance been intellectual depth of the content and enjoyment for the audience (… always a nice thing when you are in three days of meetings.)

He made some comments about communication that made sense on many levels. I couldn’t help but think about my own challenges in being both a good spouse and parent with respect to communicating. (My wife Alison has made it clear that further references to Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus are no longer de rigueur at home!) And it is clear that schools and teachers are constantly searching for ways to provide students the tools to be good communicators and to fully understand what that means. It is universally recognized as one of those critical life skills.

Bart revisited the view that communication has only been achieved when a message has been a) sent, b) received, c) understood, and d) interpreted. Many assume that the job is done after only step a) or b). Often (but certainly not always) the understanding of that sequence is directly proportional to age, so it is an important focus with students.

What really stuck with me from that portion of his presentation was the tool he used to illustrate it – an ad relating to the French translation of the fabulous movie March of the Penguins (about the migration of Emperor Penguins in Antarctica.) Take a look and use it with anyone who tends to focus only on sending messages.