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According to Stephen Covey (The Speed of Trust: New York, Free Press, 2006), "...the first job of any leader is to inspire trust. It's to bring out the best in people by entrusting them with meaningful stewardships, and to create an environment in which high trust inspires creativity and possibility." In the Director's Link (Fall 2008), Paula Steffen describes the implications of Covey's observation in the early childhood world...

"Trust is a powerful form of motivation and inspiration. People want to be trusted. They respond and thrive on trust. As leaders in the field of early care and education, it is important to establish, nurture, and sustain trusting relationships — not as a way to manipulate people, but as the most effective way of working with others and getting results.

"So how do we do this? First, we need to understand the components of trust. Think of trust as comprised of two equally important parts — character and competence. Character relates to a person's integrity, motives, and intent when working with other people. It is an essential ingredient in all trusting relationships.

"The second component of trust, one that is less often mentioned, is competence. Competence is a person's skills, results, and track record of behavior. When making decisions as a director, you usually give important responsibilities to those people whom you feel are most competent because you trust that they will achieve the results you want."

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Exchange has packaged six of its practical management resources into a single “Manager’s Tool Kit” and is offering the entire set at a 33% discount — separately these resources would cost $175, but we are offering the entire Tool Kit for only $112. Resources in the kit include:

• The Art of Leadership: Managing Early Childhood Organizations
• Managing Money: A Center Director’s Guidebook
• Beginnings Workshops Book #8 - Professionalism
• 250 Management Success Stories from Child Care Directors
• Developing Capable, Creative Teachers CD Book
• Leading People in Early Childhood Settings CD Book

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