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After attending an excellent workshop on Teaching, Leading and Coaching, I wonder what type of leader are you?
Is it your way or the highway?
Do you run a democracy?
Are you a hands-off, laissez-faire, type leader?
or something in between?
Do you switch styles based on situations?
I guess with us, the Daycare Manager and I are a team, completely. We spend all day, every day together....we know the kids and their families, etc.
We've been finding it very hard with new staff members not understanding what it is they have to do, and so on. However, our owner/operator IS on site, and she is the boss, so in the past it's always been her, and the other boss who is no longer with us, to bring up problems, and so on. We haven't had a staff meeting in almost a year, since our last "difficult" member was let go. Basically it's up to the two of us now - her in particular - to let these people know what we expect.
That's hard though, since we're with the kids 24/7, AND doing a whack or paper work, AND doing all the cleaning, and so on. It seems like the time just isn't there.
So more or less, we basically try to lead by example. When something comes up though, we mention it, but we basically never do it in a confrontational way or anything, it's just like "Just so you know, this is what should be done in this situation...." etc. The manager has more authority, so she does more - especially with the newest one, she's had to be a bit more put-your-foot-down, but basically it's just whenever we see something that isn't quite right, we address it then.
As you can probably tell, this is a big thing for us right now, and a huge cause of frustration for us because it's just one more thing we're expected to do....
I find for the most part I am a hands off type leader. I try to lead by example and I tell my staff team that I have confidence in their abilities so I do not need to micromanage every aspect of their day. They know if they need me they can ask for help. I have an open door policy. I also spend a great deal of time out on the floor, giving them a hand, spending time with the kids and trying to role model. We have a mutual respect for each others jobs.
One of the most important aspects of being a leader is understanding there may be a time for each type of leadership and knowing when to use it. For example, in an emergency situation, I can be very authoritative. Which is what is needed in that situation.
with me, it all depends on the situations. I'm a in between leader most of the time. I go with the child, as some you have to ignore most of their behavior, as other you have to watch their every move.