1. MANAGEMENT RETREAT, MARCH 12-13, 2015 EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION BY A. O. OGUNRUKU FORMER REGISTRAR OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

2. APPRECIATION AND PROTOCOLS Visionary Founder/Proprietor Pro-Chancellor James Ocholi, SAN Vice-Chancellor TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

3. ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION Definition of Key Concepts – Communication - Effective - Driver - SU Vision The story of the blind beggar What is effective Communication Tools for Effective Communication Communicating Visions Communicating & sharing SU Vision Challenges to Communication What should SU do? TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

4. DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS Communication – - exchange of info and response needed for a particular purpose in a particular organization at a particular time - exchange of info between people usually verbally, written, signs or behaviour - involves a sender, the message and the receiver - For communication to take place the receiver must understand and carry out actions as conceived by the sender TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

5. DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS Effective – capacity to achieve desired results - successful, especially in producing a strong or favorable impression on people TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

6. DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS Driver – One controls the movement of or operates a vehicle, controlling its speed and direction TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

7. DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS Vision - TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION The vivid and compelling image of an exciting future that can, should and must be attained “a shared picture of the future we seek to create” Peter Senge

8. DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS SU Vision - The vision of Salem University is to be a center of excellence for the production of graduates who are worthy in learning and character as well as sound in mind, body and spirit for outstanding leadership and global impact TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

9. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION? Effective Communication – Ability of a sender to forward a piece of information (message) to a receiver and get the required response TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

10. TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION Understanding of the message being passed and purpose to be achieved by the communication Understanding of the receiver Clarity & succinctness of the message itself Clarity of the conveyance of the message/removal of strictures that could muffle the message TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

11. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS Ability to listen to the stakeholders to understand their views on issues affecting the organization Patience even when being not well understood Empathy with the workers accentuates acceptability of message Honesty and sincerity of purpose helps receivers identification with the message Clarity of the message – Analysis and synthesis of the message well ahead of conveyance helps clarity Having a positive attitude to issues helps Transparency creates a buy-in TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

12. COMMUNICATING VISIONS – KEY ISSUES Who need to know the vision and the change to be brought What key issues should the various people know & understand What need be done to make such people to understand & know that they truly understand Identify the likely concerns of the various groups in the organization Identify the organization culture and procedure that might hamper implementation of the Vision State what mechanisms will be put in place to prevent observed hindrances What support is being planned for individuals to be affected by the changes that would arise Satisfy your self that changes occasioned by the vision is fair, transparent and doable TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

13. VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES -Kotter & Cohen (2005) TIPSHOW 1.Develop compelling – 1. Provide context story for change 2. Focus on the why, why now, what and how 3. Develop message that captures the import of the vision TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

14. VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - Kotter & Cohen (2005) TIPSHOW 2. Keep story simple & – 1. Use short sentences Honest 2. Avoid jargons without meaning 3. Address concerns honestly & openly 4. Be transparent on reasons for decisions taken TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

15. VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES -Kotter & Cohen (2005) TIPSHOW 3. Use Images & – 1. Use images to Analogues show the picture of the future anticipated. 2. Use analogue to explain the different phases of the change process TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

16. VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - Kotter & Cohen (2005) TIPSHOW 4. Repeat, Repeat & – 1. Use every opportunity Repeat to link day to day activities and decisions with the vision. 2. Reinforce the message regularly through the change period 3. Do this all the time notwithstanding audience population and time TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

17. VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - Kotter & Cohen (2005) TIPSHOW 5. Spread the message – 1. Refer to the vision every time in different fora in every communication formal or informal. 2. Do same at every level of the organization 6. Make it multi - 1. Encourage all to talk the directional the vision 2. Create opportunities for input & feedback TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

18. VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - VISION COMMUNICATION PRINCIPLES - Kotter & Cohen (2005) TIPSHOW 7. Build linkages to – 1. Explain how change contributes to initiatives organizational vision 2. Link happenings to current situations in organization 8. Align Leadership- 1. Leadership action must conform actions to to the vision communications 2. Guiding team should model expected behaviour 3. All inconsistencies identified should be promptly addressed TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

19. COMMUNICATING & SHARING SU VISION 1 The role of the Proprietors - Compelling background story of SU - Articulation of the distinctive roles the various stakeholders - Occasional stakeholders vision review meetings TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

20. COMMUNICATING & SHARING SU VISION 2 The role of the Governing Council - Compelling background story of SU - Provision of general policy guides for driving/implementing the vision - Feedback mechanism (reports) to guide future policy directions TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

21. COMMUNICATING & SHARING SU VISION 3 The role of the VC - Compelling background story of SU - Provision of general frame work for advancement – dreaming the vision - Mobilizing the 3 Ms - Stipulating the structural framework - modeling a new culture TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

22. COMMUNICATING & SHARING SU VISION 4 The role of the Senate/Faculty - Sharing the Compelling background story of SU - Driving the implementation of the Vision - Provision of the academic leadership for competiveness - Adjustment of the curriculum for anticipated change TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

23. COMMUNICATING & SHARING SU VISION 5 The role of the other stakeholders (Workers/Alums/Students/SU Community members) - Buy into the Compelling background story of SU - Be story tellers & carriers of the vision - Be champions of the change anticipated for competiveness - Live the vision in all endeavors TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

24. CHALLENGES TO VISION COMMUNICATION Perceptions and Mind sets creates a blur Top Down vs. Bottom up Approach Experience vs. Innovative thinking Lack of clarity of message blurs buy-in & commitment Inadequate/restricted publicity of vision Incoherent/ uncoordinated leadership directives TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

25. WHAT SU SHOULD DO Set up a committee on SP Layout the various structures for participation Identify the various stakeholders involved and get their buy-in Once agreed, publicize the vision in all offices and bill boards – make it plain Like CU, create formal fora for articulation and dissemination of the vision – A NEW CULTURE IS CONSEQUENTLY GENERATED TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

26. THE BLIND BOY’S STORY A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: “I am blind, please help me”. There were only a few coins in the Hat. TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

27. THE BLIND BOY’S STORY A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the Hat. He then took the sign, turned it around and wrote some words. He then put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words. Soon the Hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the Blind boy. TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

28. THE BLIND BOY’S STORY That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized the footsteps and asked, “ were you the one who changed my sign in the morning? What did you write?” The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way. I wrote, “Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it”. TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

29. MORAL OF THE BLIND BOY’S STORY: Be innovative, be creative. Let your positive thinking impact on the way you communicate. When life gives you 1000 reasons to sigh, show life you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face the past without regrets, the present with confidence and the future with faith. One of the most beautiful things in life is to see a person smiling and even more beautiful is to know that you are the reason behind it!!!!!!! (Jamila Suara, 2011) TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION

30. FINAL WORD HAVING A VISION IS GOOD BUT HAVING ALL COMMIT TO AND CHAMPION A UNIVERSITY VISION IS KEY TO ACTUALIZATION AND ACHIEVEMENT TRANSFORMATIONAL RELATIONSHIP FOR SUSTAINABLE GROWTH - EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AS DRIVER OF SALEM UNIVERSITY VISION