Real-Life Communication -- Solution
Here's what you could say:
"Todd, this
isn't easy for me to do. I want you to know that I sympathize with you.
You did what a lot of kids might have done.
"However, you shouldn't
have hit back. It would have been hard, but you could have walked away.
"As
you know, the school's policy is an automatic suspension if you hit another
student. Even though I sympathize with you, I have to follow the policy. Because
the policy is strict, you and the other students can feel safe knowing that
fights are not common.
"I will be suspending you for one day. The other
student will be suspended for three days because he started the fight. Do
you understand why I'm doing this?"
High school
principals have to be good communicators to deal with situations like the
one above. It's important that students trust their principal and feel
they are fair.
"I think the students have to know that you care," says
principal Rick McDonald. "They have to know that they will get treated fairly
with due cause. You have to communicate that to them."
Principals also
communicate a lot with parents, teachers and the public. A principal represents
the school and has to speak about things that affect it. They
also have to clearly explain decisions about things such as budgets and discipline.
Whether
they're dealing with parents, teachers or students, it's important
to build trust. That comes from doing what you say you will and by having
a compassionate tone.
"Trust is a big factor in communication," says
McDonald, "that they believe what you're saying is true."