Read one or both of the listed below and reflect on the values or opinions you hold about leadership in early care and education settings. Then, answer the questions by examining your current leadership practices demonstrated in your program. Discuss your responses with other program leaders.

• Reconciling Leadership and Partnership: Strategies to Empower Professionals and Families
• Effective Leadership: Why is it so important?

1. How are mentoring and learning encouraged in your program?
    
2. Are there times in your program where you follow rather than lead? Why or Why not?
    
3. How do you go about getting others (colleagues, program staff) to follow your leadership? Give examples.
    

References:

Allred, K. W., & Hancock, C. L. (2015). Reconciling leadership and partnership: Strategies to empower professionals and families. Young Children, 70(3), 46–53. https://www.naeyc.org/system/files/YC0515_Leadership_and_Partnership_Allred%20%281%29.pdf

Hydon, C. (2019). Leadership in early childhood education and care: Why it matters. Every Child, 25(3), 4–5. Early Childhood Australia. https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/EC1903-Leadership.pdf