… leadership is really a transferable set of skills, so it’s not distinguished by the arena in which you apply your leadership skills. Early childhood leadership, I believe consists of a number of things. I have a theory about basic principles, and so one is a knowledge of self, knowledge of others, knowledge of the craft of early childhood education, and knowledge of leadership. And so we sort of build the leadership development around those basic pillars.
– Maurice Sykes, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Leadership Institute

This Message is from Exchange’s Editor-in-Chief, Binta Dixon.

Leadership requires vulnerability and self-awareness to access the strengths that come naturally, and the qualities we are working to develop. Both for ourselves and for the people we lead, the closer we can come to owning our stories; flaws, areas of genius, and purpose, the closer we come to leading with excellence.

Pam Boulton wrote in Leadership is a Way of Being, “Leadership as a way of being is different than a title or a position. It occurs throughout organizations and is seen in individuals and groups that exhibit particular skills and dispositions…Leaders in our field are everywhere, in every position and with every title. They care, and they share their vision and their passion.”

The place where solid management practices and leadership meet is the realm of continuous quality improvement (CQI). Committing to learning and shifting practices based on what we learn requires more than assessments and reporting, although those are valuable aspects to set realistic goals. CQI, as described in the Whole Leadership Framework requires a belief system that views each individual in a center as having unique strengths and the capacity to grow in areas of weakness. Focusing on the strengths helps to build capacity for change and growth in other areas. When we see the whole person; their intersectional identities, the qualities and gifts they possess, and the areas where support is needed, we can lead with compassion, understanding, and clear vision.

As leaders, we must also see ourselves as whole and have trusted advisors who can provide reflection and support for our growth.

A commitment to leading is a commitment to continuous reflection and action. It is an adventure into the truth, no matter how challenging, the rewards are worthy of the quest.