Are You A Thriver?

08/29/2003

"The best armor is to keep out of range." - Italian Proverb

ARE YOU A THRIVER?

The January 1980 issue of Child Care Information Exchange identified characteristics of early childhood leaders who thrive on the job. These leaders:

* Have a sense of what they hope to accomplish and how to do it;
* Set moderately difficult goals; work with persistence and patience to accomplish them;
* Continually reassess their organization's goals and progress toward meeting them;
* Project an image of competence and confidence;
* Look at everything with the view of improving it;
* Exhibit initiative and decisiveness;
* Take moderate risks; are open to new ideas;
* Set priorities among tasks and stick to them;
* Continually seek feedback on their performance;
* Regularly seek out expert resource people for advice and assistance;
* Continually broaden acquaintances in their own and related fields;
* Surround themselves with competent, responsible co-workers and delegate major work to them;
* Invite participation of co-workers in organizational planning and decisionmaking;
* Care about co-workers and build bonds of trust with them;
* Operate with complete openness and honesty;
* Exhibit a sense of humor, enjoy work, keep problems in perspective, and don't take themselves too seriously.

For many insightful articles on leadership in the early childhood arena, go to Exchange's Article Archives at www.ChildCareExchange.com and search by the key word "Leaders".

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