ABSTRACT
In several recent surveys of educational leaders, the one area in which many of them indicated that they would have liked to receive more training is interpersonal communication. Effective communication may occur in good times as well as in bad times. If a principal is known to communicate with parents only when there are problems, then there will be a negative impact felt on the overall culture of the school. The school will become mired in a culture of negativity. A parent, already harboring negative feelings about the school or a school-related situation, will instinctively enter into conversations with such a principal from a defensive or aggressive stance. Either way, the parent will not be open to hearing what the principal has to say if he or she already expects it to be negative. It is imperative that principal take a proactive approach to building trust.
