Communication and Presented at Southeast Regional Conferences

Understanding communications and developing good communication skills are critical to effective leadership and success across organizations. What styles of interaction are most comfortable for you? How can you adapt them to be effective with others? The keys to good communication are understanding how communication happens, accounting for individual communication styles, learning to diagnose the communication needs of others, and mastering the art of communicating with others in a way that takes into account their communication needs. This interactive seminar will focus on these key elements of communication with opportunities for self-discovery and discussions on adapting your styles to be effective with others.

Too often, we as leaders in IT get caught up in putting out fires, personnel issues, budget problems and security that we forget that we are unique. More importantly, we do not take the time to look at our accomplishments and tell someone. When I refer to telling someone, this is not our customer base that responds with, "oh, thanks." What is really being said is, "I have no idea what it took to accomplish what you did but it works." I am referring to telling our vendors in technology what we are doing and why it is special. Leaving public relations (PR) to say what we do and how we do it is a dead end. Not that they are not interested, they just do not understand technology and what is being accomplished. Take control of your PR and let those who understand what you are doing tell your story. In 2006, CSU had 10 national press releases that originated from the IT department. This is what can be built with some imagination and the ability to effectively communicate technological advancements.

The University of Mississippi's Office of Information Technology has made a concerted effort in recent years to improve communications with faculty, staff, and students. This presentation will chronicle how IT publications, presentations, and Web pages have helped end users connect to campus technology and the people who make it happen.