Associate Professor Sever Globan at the national professional conference “Integrity and Professional Leadership of Principals”

Associate Professor Irena Sever Globan, PhD, from the University Department of Communication Studies participated in the national professional conference of primary school principals titled “Integrity and Professional Leadership of Principals / Full-Day School / Innovations in e-Diary,” held from April 20 to 22 in Bol on the island of Brač.

On this occasion, she delivered a lecture titled “Leading with Words: The Role of Communication in Building the Integrity of School Leadership,” in which she emphasized the key role of communication in contemporary school leadership and its connection to the personal and professional integrity of principals. She highlighted that the quality of interpersonal relationships within a school directly affects the overall quality of the educational process, with communication forming the foundation of every relationship. In her presentation, integrity was defined as the alignment of personal values, words, and actions, with communication as its most visible expression.

Special emphasis was placed on the importance of consistent, authentic, and responsible communication in building trust, as well as on the consequences of a mismatch between declared values and communicative behavior. She also presented a modern approach to leadership, focusing on authentic leadership, which views the principal as a communication leader and a creator of a positive school climate. In the practical part of the lecture, key communication competencies were highlighted, including assertiveness, active and empathetic listening, and nonviolent communication, with examples from the school context.

In conclusion, it was emphasized that a school is not just a system, but a community of relationships, and that the quality of the educational process largely depends on how principals communicate. Integrity in communication was identified as the foundation for building trust, professional relationships, and a supportive school environment.