The Communication Challenge


*Are your lines of communication really as open as you think? Take the Communication Challenge* to find out if your team is reaching its potential for clarity, collaboration, and productivity.**

Question 1 of 8

How would you best describe the communication climate at your school?

Tense - There's not a lot of dialogue and nobody wants to bother anyone.

Disjointed - There's limited communication between departments/employee goups.

Good - There's mutual respect among and within departments and everyone feels like they have a voice.

Invigorating - We enjoy a lively, ongoing, and positive exchange of ideas.

Question 2 of 8

How is important information shared with the whole staff?

Shared at monthly staff meetings.

Sent in emails or email attachments.

All of the above and social media.

All of the above and native content built into the programs we use every day.

Question 3 of 8

When you want to collaborate with colleagues who work in another building, what does that look like?

A series of meetings.

Meetings, phone calls, and emails.

Conversations, instant messaging, and web-based project management tools.

Question 4 of 8

Can you access the information that you need to be effective in your job?

No. I don't have enough information to be effective in my role.

Mostly. I do have to look outside for essential knowledge from time to time.

Yes, but it's too much - I can't keep it all straight and it's hard to find anything when I need it.

Yes, and it's easy to identify which information is most important and which information is most relevant.

Question 5 of 8

How would you describe the effect technology has on communication in your school?

Negative - It's a source of frustration because we don't have adequate tools or training.

Minimal - I've seen a few benefits, but we're just skimming the surface.

Positive - Our technology helps me be more organized and in-the-know.

Amazing - Our tools help me work smarter and build stronger relationships.

Question 6 of 8

Which communication strategy are you most likely to adopt?

I don't know - help!

An organized inbox, with folders for every high-level topic.

Online collaboration tools to keep everyone in the loop.

The use of push notifications to cut down on lag time and help me prioritize.

Question 7 of 8

How often do you try out new communication tools?

Rarely, if ever.

I wait until my entire school or district settles on a preferred tool.

I try new tools when I notice my old ones aren't as effective as they used to be.

I'm constantly seeking better tools and urging colleagues to try them, too!

Question 8 of 8

What's your main communication concern?

Falling behind - We are already outdated, and I worry we'll never catch up.

Staff pushback - Resistance to change and lack of tech-savviness are big problems.

Volume - I send and receive so many things; it's hard to keep it all straight.

Future-readiness - I feel good about where we are, but I want to stay ahead of the curve.


Barely a Whisper You Scored: XXX Points It looks like you have some barriers standing in the way of effective communication. The first step is identifying what those are. You’ll be surprised how just a few key changes can make a big difference. Whether it’s choosing better communication tools, improving training opportunities, or focusing on proactive communication, you can make good progress one step at a time, and we’re ready to help you along the way.
Blog: Is E-mail Dying? If email is on its way out, what is taking its place? Here's a look at three communication trends vying to fill the gap.
Striving for better communication? Fill out the form below to learn how Skyward can help you go beyond email to build a culture of clear and productive communication.


Raising the Volume You Scored: XXX Points You’ve got some effective 21^st century communication practices in place, but it seems like your school relies heavily on a few strategies that might soon become obsolete. There’s still room for email in today’s workplace, but you’ll stay behind the curve if you don’t consider how you might get more from alternatives like instant messaging or native. Your next step might be to identify what’s working and be open to changing the rest – that’s how high-functioning organizations are built.
Blog: Is E-mail Dying? If email is on its way out, what is taking its place? Here's a look at three communication trends vying to fill the gap.
Striving for better communication? Fill out the form below to learn how Skyward can help you go beyond email to build a culture of clear and productive communication.


Loud and Proud You Scored: XXX Points It seems like your organization has the communication fundamentals down and you are ready to fine-tune your practice. What could propel you to the front of the pack? Perhaps it’s improving the awareness of your team or diving even deeper into alternative communication methods. Think outside the box and don’t be afraid to try something new. You’ll enjoy the benefits that come with the switch to a more modern communication style. Work hard, and get ready to go from good to great.
Blog: Is E-mail Dying? If email is on its way out, what is taking its place? Here's a look at three communication trends vying to fill the gap.
Striving for better communication? Fill out the form below to learn how Skyward can help you go beyond email to build a culture of clear and productive communication.


Communication All-Stars You Scored: XXX Points Way to go! Your focus isn’t just on technology – it’s on your vision, your goals, and your students. A culture of effective communication takes hard work, and we’d like to share your success. Fill out the form below if you’d be interested in having us use our platform to showcase your best practices.
Blog: Is E-mail Dying? If email is on its way out, what is taking its place? Here's a look at three communication trends vying to fill the gap.
Striving for better communication? Fill out the form below to learn how Skyward can help you go beyond email to build a culture of clear and productive communication.

Barely a Whisper

Striving for better communication? Fill out the form below to learn how Skyward can help you go beyond email to build a culture of clear and productive communication.

Raising the Volume

Striving for better communication? Fill out the form below to learn how Skyward can help you go beyond email to build a culture of clear and productive communication.

Loud and Proud

Striving for better communication? Fill out the form below to learn how Skyward can help you go beyond email to build a culture of clear and productive communication.

** Communication All-Stars **

Striving for better communication? Fill out the form below to learn how Skyward can help you go beyond email to build a culture of clear and productive communication.

Communication All-Stars