Leadership of an Early Childhood Setting Through Activist Frame Report

This report analyzes leadership within an Early Childhood Education (ECE) setting, drawing upon a real-world case study to explore effective leadership practices. The introduction defines effective leadership, emphasizing the ability to unite diverse teams towards common goals and inspire individuals to realize their potential. The case study details the author's experience as a leader at an ECE center, highlighting organizational structure, communication strategies, and the importance of clear expectations. The analysis section examines the functional organizational structure, the role of senior management support, and the impact of clear communication in fostering trust and transparency. It also identifies challenges such as internal competition and misunderstandings, and the strategies used to overcome them. The reflection section discusses the effectiveness of open communication, the need for continuous improvement in leadership skills, and the importance of active listening. The conclusion reiterates the responsibilities of educational leaders in promoting both teaching and learning, particularly in ECE settings. The report emphasizes the significance of adapting leadership approaches and the benefits of an activist framework in supporting subordinates and fostering their professional development.

LEADERSHIP OF AN EARLY CHILDHOOD SETTING
THROUGH AN ACTIVIST FRAME

Table of Contents
a. Introduction............................................................................................................................3
b. Case study..............................................................................................................................3
c. Analysis..................................................................................................................................4
d. Reflection...............................................................................................................................6
e. Conclusion..............................................................................................................................7
Reference list..............................................................................................................................8
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a. Introduction
Effective leadership helps in bringing together a diverse range of people and guides then in
finding a purpose. Besides, effective leadership helps a diverse workforce to achieve a
common goal. Effective leaders can empower and inspire people to make them realize their
potential. This potential can be harnessed effectively by a leader for obtaining a common
goal. For performing effective leadership, leaders need to possess different qualities such as
leading by example. Leaders need to build credibility by setting proper examples. Moreover,
communication skills also help in solving complex problems and respond to grievances
effectively. Besides, other skills include recognizing success of subordinates that helps in
motivating the workforce. Continuous motivation and inspiring for better performance is a
characteristic of effective leadership. In this assignment, a case study has been analyzed
regarding effective leadership in an ECE center. Critical analysis of the details regarding
feelings, gathering of knowledge has also been done.
b. Case study
Background information
I have worked as a leader for ABC Childcare institute previously and during that
employment, I have learned different aspects of educational leadership. I have managed a
small group of professionals under the leadership of senior management. It was a small Early
Childhood Education center and a total of 10 staff members were working under my
supervision according to situational needs. There was diversity within the workplace and
people from different cultural backgrounds were serving for achieving a common
organizational goal. We were provided with training by the authority to develop professional
skills to deal with little children. I have learned different modes of communications that have
helped me in communicating with other leaders and my subordinates. This aspect has helped
all of us to work collaboratively and helping students to enjoy their learning. The head of this
Institute was efficient enough to promote teaching and learning in this place. The head has
encouraged all leaders to communicate with each other and develop good relationships. This
workplace was safe and secure. The authority of this childcare institute was treating all of its
staff members equally. This positive environment has helped me to concentrate on my
performance and I have successfully served the best performance for that organization.
However, sometimes, I have faced difficulties due to misbehavior from coworkers and I have
experienced a strong workplace competition as well. Misunderstanding has taken place in
some cases. However, the head of the institute has always played an important role in solving
all kinds of workplace issues. I have followed this attitude while solving issues between my
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subordinates. Continuous support and motivation from hierarchy have helped me to deliver
my best performance in educating children. Learning from the situations is potent enough to
help a leader in making decision in the future as well for managing people within an ECE
setting. For example, Regulation 148 and Regulation 118 have been designed to explain the
role of an educational leader in promoting education and learning.
Role of educational leaders
Educational leaders are responsible to ensure effective teaching and learning within an ECE
setting. As stated by Bonnett and Ly (2017), educational leaders play an important role in
promoting a positive outcome for satisfying the basic needs of students and their family
members. It is important for an educational leader to develop the capacity of motivating,
inspiring, challenging, affirming and extending their pedagogical practices. According to the
National Quality Standard (NQS), 1.2 and educator is liable to extend learning and
development of children through effective leadership within an educational setting
(Acecqa.gov.au, 2019). On the other hand, NQS standard 1.3 explains about the role of
educators in planning and implementing an effective program for ensuring learning for each
of the children. Maintaining coordination between coworkers and effective communication
skills helps a leader to maintain a good organizational culture within an ECE center like ABC
Child Care Institute. As stated by Ewing (2016), Education and Care Services National
Regulations of Australia helps educational leaders to understand their roles and
responsibilities for complying with the legislative requirements (Acecqa.gov.au, 2019).
c. Analysis
In this ECE center, there was a functional organizational structure. As opined by Bøe and
Hognestad (2017), in a functional organizational structure, staffs that perform same tasks are
grouped together. These groups in the organization were managed by effective leaders, who
maintain communication with senior management. I was also a part of leadership structure
and my duty was to manage the small group of diverse employees. The senior managers
supported me by providing essential feedback about the team's performance and their
expectations. Moreover, Sims et al. (2018) argued that belonging allows employees to feel
that they can be their authentic selves without any fear of punishment. Senior leaders have
given me freedom to manage the group independently and maintained communication
regularly. This has made me feel belonged in this organization.
The leaders from senior management have clarified their expectations regarding performance
and goals. As said by Sims et al. (2015), clarifying expectations helps in creating a shared
vision and agreement is done regarding future actions. Clarification of vision has helped me
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to lead my team towards a common goal and this has impacted on team's performance. This
is the thing that is missed in many organizations. Setting clear expectations from leaders
helps in guiding a diverse workforce towards a common goal. Hence, future actions can be
performed in a collaborative way. I have communicated with the subordinates regarding the
proper way of education that can be imparted to children and different styles of teaching.
Regular communication has increased sharing of information in a proper way. This
communication has worked well and helped in eliminating misunderstandings between me
and both senior management and subordinates. Stamopoulos (2015) stated that effective
communication skills are an essential trait of a leader that increases relationship between a
leader and subordinates. Clear communication has increased transparency, which satisfied
senior management and built trust among employees in my team.
I have measured the effectiveness of leadership after some time. Measurement of self-
confidence of employees was done regarding judgment and ability. Moreover, it was also
measured that they were working towards a common goal or not. If any disparity occurs
between employee performance and mentioned goal then leadership can be stated as
ineffective (Carroll-Lind et al. 2016). Employees’ ability regarding articulating a vision was
also measured to find effectiveness of leadership. Internal competition, misbehavior, and
misunderstanding with subordinates are some obstacles that I have faced. As opined by
Nicholson and Maniates (2016), misunderstanding between leaders and employees can
impact in the leadership process, which decreases productivity of a team or firm. Moreover,
internal competition between other leaders has created a barrier in collecting and sharing of
knowledge. High internal competition impacts on organizational environment and hampers
knowledge sharing and collaboration (Ho and Lin, 2016).
The moments of wonder includes achievement of praise from senior leaders due to leadership
skills and increase of self-confidence among team members due to motivation from me.
Awful moments include failure of team in achieving small targets and conflicts with other
leaders due to internal competition. Wonder moments increase motivation of a leader to
perform better while awful moments help to find gaps in performance. I have overcome
obstacles such as conflict in team through open system communication. Lack of self-
confidence in a team member is another obstacle that I have eliminated through face to face
communication. As said by Abel et al. (2017), open communication encourages employees to
share feedback regarding management and problems that they are facing. I have created a
difference between me and other leaders by becoming a team member. I took part in every
operational process in the ECE center that boosted other members to work better. I set myself
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as an example to others. From this experience, I have gained experience of problem-solving,
managing a diverse workforce, which can help me in future career.
d. Reflection
The open communication technique worked well to manage a diverse workforce. This
technique has helped to collect grievances from staff and forward it to senior management.
This technique of communication has created a friendly relationship with subordinates and
increased transparency in management process. However, I have ignored the mistakes of
subordinates like improper teaching styles and only motivated them to use proper styles. This
had not worked well on that organization. It is essential for leaders to monitor performance of
subordinates regularly and provide feedback to improve gradually (Acecqa.gov.au, 2019).
In future, improvement is required in leadership skills that can enable me to monitor closely
and provide regular feedback. On the other hand, I need to improve my listening skills. This
skill is closely associated with communication skills as proper listening helps to gather
information for communication. Improper listening skills have created a barrier in
communication with both senior management and staff. Important inputs and managerial
decisions have been missed by me that have created confusion in team process. Hence, it is
essential for me to practice active listening.
This experience has helped in enhancing my professional practice. I have achieved an idea
regarding managing a diverse range of employees. Staff from a diverse culture has different
needs and beliefs. Hence, it is essential to analyze each need and manage them accordingly.
This is a tough task, which can create confusion for leaders that can impact on team
performance. This small team consists of employees who belonged from different cultures. I
have managed them successfully that has increased my ability as a leader. In addition, I have
achieved knowledge regarding bridging gap between senior management and staff.
Communication messages and inputs from both ends on time have helped me to reduce the
gap. Leading a team by encouraging them to achieve the same goal is another professional
practice, which has been enhanced due to this experience.
If I did not get effective leadership, I could communicate with responsible person regarding
factors that are affecting my work. As mentioned by Pacchiano et al. (2019), self-assessment
and self-development are two important aspects that can allow a person to think differently. I
would like to assess my skills and competencies that can help to get rid of this issue.
Effective communication skills may help me to solve this issue. However, I would ensure that
this issue could not affect my performance. In the future, I will improve my communication
skills to cope up with this kind of issues and will keep improving my teaching skills.
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Effective leadership is required for continuous growth of organizations as leaders help in
improving business performance. As stated by Muñoz et al. (2015), an effective leader not
only focuses on achieving goals. They constantly inspire and motivate the workforce to get
their best performance. In case of leaders in ECE setting, they are responsible for promoting
both teaching and learning. It means that an effective educational leader is responsible for
managing their subordinates and teaches students. Neylon (2015) have mentioned that
effective leaders change their leadership approaches according to situational changes. They
must be adaptive to changes and eager to ensure continuous self-development.
Activists believe in helping people to deliver their best performance instead of controlling
them. I can be activists for effective leadership to be communicating with my subordinates
regarding their issues. This kind of conversation can help me to understand their dilemmas
and problems in the workplace. It is my responsibility to help them to rectify their mistake
and develop effective professional skills. I will not control them, but I will show them the
right path that can lead them to achieve goals.
e. Conclusion
From the entire discussion, it can be concluded that educational leaders are responsible for
promoting both teaching and learning. In terms of Early Childhood Education Institute, it
becomes more difficult to deal with both subordinates and children for leaders. This kind of
leaders is bound to match NQS standards and legislative requirements of the Country while
performing. Educational leaders face issues due to workplace conflicts. Their competency
and effective skills help them to solve those issues. On the other hand, this paper has
articulated that leaders learn from their hierarchy and implement their learning in practice for
achieving organizational goals.
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