A lesson in communication

Dear all,

In a week when we have been exploring with the pupils on what it means to be a good communicator, we also heard that Jürgen Klopp has made the decision to stand down as Liverpool’s manager at the end of the season.

At this point in the piece, I wish to make it clear that this blog has nothing to do with being a partisan fan of one football club over another. It’s about the links between what we suggest are the traits of great communication and the success that someone like Klopp has been able to achieve.

The word ‘success’ is vital in understanding how Klopp’s legacy and our focus on ‘being a good communicator; are linked. You see, Jürgen Klop’s ‘success’ goes well beyond the football field or the trophy cabinet at Liverpool FC. His success is equally about the culture he has created, and much of this is down to him being an extraordinary communicator and all that this entails.

In my headmaster’s assembly this week, I talked to the children about the shared characteristics of almost all of the best communicators. These include the ability to listen, being comfortable in showing empathy, speaking with passion and conviction, ‘living’ their message and believing that nothing is possible without harnessing the team around you.

All of the above characteristics can make children better both in and out of the classroom. Importantly, they are also attributes that will hopefully set them up for success and happiness in life well beyond their time in school.

So thank you to Jürgen Klopp. Football manager, empath, builder of culture and, in my opinion, a remarkable human being.

Jason Whiskerd