Knowing Our Worth – Vital for Adults and Children

Mike Brown, in his popular leadership book, Idea Magnets, writes about how important it is for leaders to be secure in their own worth. As he explains, “I have worked with multiple leaders who operate from a position of insecurity. They know they have holes in their leadership skills – all leaders do. Instead of addressing their personal weaknesses by surrounding themselves with others who have strengths in those areas, they try to mask their weaknesses through an overly-aggressive style. They must be right. They must be the ones in the spotlight. They must be the smartest people in the room.

These types of leaders are not Idea Magnets. You see, when people think you are the smartest person in the room, all the responsibility is on you. Who else is going to come up with the best ideas…Nobody. How could they be expected to do it when you’re the best?”

Susan Hopkins, in her valuable book, Hearing Everyone’s Voice, also writes about the importance of a secure self-image, but she relates this concept to children:
“A positive self-image lies at the root of trusting human relationships. Children’s self awareness grows tremendously in the early years, the time of recognizing the self as autonomous. Many factors contribute to this process. The most basic is security, a feeling that comes with having had many experiences of being accepted rather than rejected, of feeling safe and nurtured rather than threatened and ignored.”

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

© 2005 Child Care Information Exchange - All Rights Reserved | Contact Us | Return to Site