Don't Get in the Way of Success

02/19/2004

Don't Get in the Way of Success

"There is really nothing more to say-except why. But since why is difficult to handle, one must take refuge in how." - Toni Morrison, The Bluest Eye

Don't Get in the Way of Success

The July 2003 issue of Child Care Information Exchange included the article by Gigi Taylor Schweikert, "Who Made Me Boss? Eight Tips for Supervisors." One of her eight tips was: "Don't get in the way of success:

"Can you let the process and results of a job be different from the way you would do it? Try to avoid the 'Do It My Way' approach to supervision. Employees whose work is constantly criticized or redone because there is only one way to get things done eventually stop trying. And guess what? You're on your own to do it your way.

"Everyone has skills and talents. Emphasize the skill or goal rather than the process or method. Allow freedom of expression. Don't stand in the way of teachers doing their job. Delegate a job and stand back. You'll be surprised and your employees will feel empowered, trusted, and proud! Build on success. There's more than one way to get things done."

This article is one of 20 Exchange articles available on the "Exchange Articles on CD" collection, "Supervising Staff," available at: http://mail.ccie.com/go/eed/0128

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