Electrically Charged:
Language That Gets Your Vote
by Karen Anderson

Turn on any TV station in the last few months and you found plenty related to the “electrically charged” Presidential election. Easily one was drawn to those who used language to convey passion, garner our support, and propel us to action. The candidates were masters at using symbolic language to create clarity, illustrate a point, or infuse emotion to support their logic. At times, their message inspired us, motivated us, and moved us to think about who would get our vote.

I’ve noticed the same influential power with successful school leaders. By using metaphors to represent their thoughts and ideas, they can command support for the school vision, rally staff around action plans aimed at results for students, and generate energy when efforts stall or wane.

What makes this difference? How can choice of words make such a difference?

In our study of language, we’ve learned that symbolic language can offer the potential for moving a person’s thought processes from one place to another. This conceptual shift can move to a higher logical level or to a lower logical level. For example, the school leader who is a global thinker focused on the vision and goals for his/her school – “Our goal as a school is to be a Blue Ribbon School where every student experiences high levels of success.” can be grounded in supporting detail when the coach offers a paraphrase such as:

• “Being” a Blue Ribbon School is like receiving an Oscar because it represents your staffs’ talent, excellence in performance, and recognition by others of the untold hours you have invested in the success of your students.
• You want your school to be like a Fortune 500 Company recognized for excellence in achieving bottom line results for your students.

Likewise, a shift up can be offered to the school leader who thinks in more concrete, sequential ways. As they speak about what is happening instructionally in their classrooms – “Teachers use the district provided scope and sequence, embed Marzano’s best practice strategies, and use active learning strategies to ensure high levels of engagement.” The coach can offer the possibility for a shift by paraphrasing in these ways:

• Your mental model of an effective classroom is one that keeps learners engaged and uses best practice strategies.
• Perhaps your classrooms are much like the passenger cars of an Amtrak train. When they are full, operating with strategy and precision, you are able to transport everyone with accelerated speed from where they are now to where you want them to be.

What about your language? How “electrically charged” are your messages as a leader and coach? Knowing about the power potential of our language, in what ways will you offer an “electrical charge” to those with whom you work?

Karen Anderson is responsible for the Teaching and Learning Services of Coaching School Results.  Her expertise in working with adult learners in training or coaching is recognized nationally.  To learn more about Karen and other CSR coaches go to www.coachingschoolresults.com and click on “coaches.”

*Leaders can learn more about the coaching process and extend skills to implement coaching by attending one of our upcoming seminars. See details below.

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