A quick metric of organizational effectiveness: how often are you hearing things on your radios? Over the intercom?
Here’s the deal: too much chatter is a distraction for everyone who has a radio, but that may be only a symptom of a bigger issue.
If you have a lot of radio traffic, why? Chances are the norms for radio usage were established before you arrived and, as is often the case, people tend to do what they’ve been doing when given a choice.
Overuse of school radios can be that simple, that people have grown accustomed to communicating via those means and now do so instinctively. But another reason may explain it as well.
When I visit a school, I’m interested in how the leadership is managing it and I believe it to be a red flag if the radio is (seemingly) constantly going off. I mean, it’s not a method to have a private conversation. Schools that have lots of radios have than many ears multiplied exponentially who are listening to the conversations. (And you know that you have some people out there who also go to channel two when you do)
Should there really be a lot of need for a lot of lengthy radio conversations? I get it during dismissal time when we’re calling cars and kiddos. That makes sense. Even to connect people away from their classroom at recess or an outdoor classroom. That’s a good safety consideration and ought to be done.
Many other conversations often seem to be the result of people not having the needed authority, direction, or initiative to do things themselves. (If you know this one, you know it.) What might you do to empower your people to do the things needed as needed without bringing them all back to administration?
Your school runs more effectively when everyone takes ownership and appropriately responds to the action as it comes their way.
Take a look (or a listen) to the chatter on your radios. It may be all necessary and good. But at an appropriate time, consider renorming the use of radios at your school if needed… for better communication and empowerment.
Over and out.
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