Four Ways to Be a Better B.O.S.S.

My first experience as a leader was really all about wanting to be a “boss.” I simply wanted authority and the opportunity to tell others what to do. Needless to say, that didn’t go well nor did it last long. Over time, I learned to focus on building relationships and gaining influence with those I was responsible for, and that led to them welcoming my thoughts and allowing me to serve them. After taking a break from my supervisory roles, four years later, I find myself back “in charge” of others. Here are four things I’m pursuing this time around that may also work for you in your childcare program:

1.       Be Present- when engaging with teachers, give them your undivided attention. Dedicate time to spend in the classrooms, meet with them individually and in small teams. Hear their thoughts and ideas, and make an effort to see their perspective. Try not to dwell on the past or obsess over plans for the future; instead, focus on the here and now and what you can do in the moment to make progress for your program.

2.       Offer Optimism- You have to set the tone for positive energy. Be mindful of your thoughts and conversations when speaking with and about teachers. Reframe negative comments and provide positive remarks instead. As much as possible, think about what you can say “yes” to. Some of my leadership training has taught me all about learning to say “no,” but find ways to encourage and empower your team with small gestures that encourage and affirm their ideas.

3.       Provide Support- encourage your teachers when times get rough, and cheer them on when things go well. Solicit their ideas to challenging tasks and work with them to develop solutions. Consider mistakes teachable moments and use them as opportunities to provide training and guidance for improvement. Be a resource for your team; that doesn’t mean you have to be the “go-to” for everything, but that you can point them on the right path to seeking their own solutions.

4.       Implement a Strategy- develop systems that will set your team up for success. Revisit your mission and develop clear goals for working toward it this year. Train and orient your new staff and help them find their place in your program. Approach professional development with a wide-eye view for all staff and individually for each teacher. Complete self-assessments to identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop a plan for improvement that supports the success of the whole program.

I’m sure you’d agree that this is easier said or done. No worries, we can take some of the guess-work out of the implementation. Download this BOSS BINGO sheet for some ideas on how to take your leadership to the next level.

Top 5 Things I Wish I had known as a Director

Author Flora Q. Gomez

I often think about my time working as a director in an early childhood program and wonder how different things would have been if I had known then, what I know now. As time passes and I gain new experiences and insights on leadership in early childhood education, I frequently ask myself what I would do differently if I could relive that period of time. In my reflection, I have realized that my conclusions are usually from my own point of view. Recognizing that the experience I had as a program administrator affected so many, I thought it would be more interesting to learn what my team would like for me to have known.

In a series of conversations with teachers I have worked with in the past, here are five common themes I discovered that the teachers wanted me and other directors to know:

1.       Relationships matter!

As the old saying goes, “people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Directors come with education, experience, and skill sets needed to get the job done. What tends to get in the way is the neglect to build relationships with the people in the program; primarily teachers, parents, and children. As a leader, it is important to build strong individual relationships with those in your program and just as important to foster relationships between them. 

2.       Don’t assume that teachers know how to meet YOUR expectations.

Teachers also come to the table with a wealth of knowledge and experience and it can easily be assumed that they know how to fulfill the expectations of your program. Not necessarily! Each program has its own culture and way of operating that may be unlike what teachers have done in the past. Some concepts and ideas in the field are universal, but the way they are carried out can be very different. Take the time to train teachers in the way you want things done.

3.       Building a community of collaboration means everyone wins.

The early childhood program often involves very specific tasks to be done by specific people; however, there is still an opportunity to establish collaboration as opposed to working as separate entities. Create an environment where communication is frequent and information is shared between teams. Some roles and responsibilities may overlap, and even if they don’t, staff should be aware of how they can support others while still fulfilling the obligation of their own jobs.

4.       Involve those involved.

When possible, involve those impacted by change in the decision-making process. While it is not feasible to seek suggestions and input for every program decision that needs to be made, allow staff, parents, and children an opportunity to be included as much as possible. Solicit their suggestions and feedback and incorporate their ideas. This validates their place in the program and relieves you, the director, from carrying too much weight on your own.

5.       Don’t take the job too seriously.

Sometimes, it is perfectly acceptable to leave the pile of papers on the desk to go and enjoy the scented play dough and bubbles in the toddler classroom or even a prank, or two, with the teachers! Directors can become so overwhelmed with the business of running a center that little time is taken to have fun on the job. Find opportunities to participate in early childhood activities you love with the children and teachers in your program, and all of your hard work will be that much more rewarding.

Original post published by the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership July 5, 2017.