Activity 1.1 | Shared Leadership and Peer Mentorship

You have explored some of the roles, responsibilities, skills and dispositions that childcare leaders may take on or require. 

Whichever role you play, bringing teams together for a common purpose, vision and goals is integral to success. 

Watch the YouTube video "Why Creating a Sense of Purpose Helps Leaders Lead," in which Simon Sinek engages in a Capture Your Flag interview with host Erik Michielsen about how creating a sense of purpose in teams supports successful leadership. 

“Shared leadership is related to but distinct from other team processes such as cooperation or helping, which refer to team members working with and/or assisting other team members with their tasks” 

(Kozlowski & Bell, 2003). 

Simon Sinek emphasizes the transformative power of purpose in leadership, asserting that a clearly defined sense of purpose enhances a leader's ability to inspire and engage others. Within the context of early childhood education, fostering a shared leadership model that actively involves all educators in decision-making and collaboration can serve as a powerful mechanism for empowerment and professional growth. This process begins with the intentional establishment of a shared purpose and collective goals that align with the overarching vision and values of the center. Developing shared philosophy statements and collaboratively setting visions and goals not only creates a unified direction but also cultivates a culture of mutual commitment, fostering deeper engagement and cohesion among team members.

References

Kozlowski, S. W. J., & Bell, B. S. (2003). Work groups and teams in organizations. In W. C. Borman, D. R. Ilgen, & R. J. Klimoski (Eds.), Handbook of psychology: Industrial and organizational psychology (Vol. 12, pp. 333–375). John Wiley & Sons.

Simon Sinek. (2009) [Video]. Why Creating a Sense of Purpose Helps Leaders Lead. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmV0kFmATi0&t=39s