How Do You Motivate Staff to Grow?

07/09/2009

How Do You Motivate Staff to Grow?

Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take a step.
Naeem Callaway, founder of a non-profit mentoring at-risk youth

In her article, "Spreading the Wealth: Leadership at all Levels," in the July 2009 issue of Exchange and available on our website, Debra Sullivan answers questions about growing staff to assume leadership roles. For example, she provides this answer to the question, "How do we motivate staff to grow professionally?"

"In our [Panel of 300] discussion, one participant quoted Piaget as having said, 'You don’t learn something until you see a need to know it.' The concept of motivation — extrinsic and intrinsic — fits in here. Extrinsic motivation is when individuals are motivated by the need to receive rewards or punishments to alter their behavior. Intrinsic motivation is when individual’s behavior arises from his or her own needs, not how others will respond. To motivate staff extrinsically, you need only to know what reward or punishment will make them do as you wish.

"To motivate staff to grow intrinsically, as with mentoring, you must first know what individuals want for themselves and for their future. Motivation occurs when a staff member sees a future possibility and wants to get there. We work really hard to get what we want.

"If you want to grow more leadership by helping teachers see themselves as directors, then you have to let teachers know that you support the development of their leadership skills. Your cook may want to move into a teaching position. He or she will be motivated to learn more about teaching methods and child development. Lead teachers may want to closely examine their teaching skill and develop their abilities to manage the responsibilities of a master teacher. He or she will be motivated to learn more about curriculum development and implementation. Whenever you want to motivate your staff, help them get where they really want to go. You will find that motivating them to grow professionally will be surprisingly easy."

Now You Can Award CEUs for Your Staff Training

When you use one of Exchange's Out of the Box Training Kits to train your staff, you can receive Continuing Education Units for staff that participates in this training. The Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County will award CEUs when you follow their simple procedures. Learn more!

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For more information about Exchange's magazine, books, and other products pertaining to ECE, go to www.ccie.com.