Effective Communicator in Early Childhood Education

Effective Communication in the Work Place

Dr. Whitehead(far left) at our convocation  with our guest speaker  and  Executive Director, Reba Bolden  (far right)

            The person who I have chosen to write about this week is my boss, Dr. Jocelyn Henry-Whitehead.  She is the director of our Head Start program in Williamsburg, VA.  I consider her to be a transformational leader.  Dr. Whitehead is a role model for all of us to follow.  She begins each day by making a connection with each of the members of our staff.  By hugging each individual she breaks down barriers so that people are willing to share opportunities and challenges on a daily basis.  This helps our agency because then challenges can be proactively solved creating a great environment in which to work.

            Dr. Whitehead is willing to stand beside any employee and do the work they are doing.  This is true for teaching assistants, bus drivers, family service workers, teachers, coordinators or human resource staff.  Her willingness to step in boosts the morale of the staff because they know that she knows what they do each day. 

            She solves problems by getting input from all staff members involved.  In this way she is able to get as many solutions as possible and gain consensus about which solution might be the best.  Because the staff has contributed to the solution, they feel more ownership in the solution and are more willing to carry it through to completion.  Dr. Whitehead feels confident in her decision as a result of the input that she has received.

            Dr. Whitehead also uses humor in the way that she presents ideas.  This helps to ease any tension there might be when difficult decisions have to be made.  It allows her to then explain why the difficult decision has to be made and what the advantages are to following this particular path.  Because she initially used humor, it broke down some of the barriers that might have created dissent among the staff.

            Finally, when challenges arise, Dr. Whitehead helps us to use the challenges as opportunities to grow and learn.  She is not punitive if mistakes are made, but asks the staff member what they learned from the challenge and how they plan to respond in future situations that are similar.  This strategy encourages staff members to take risks without the risk of failure.  Better ideas are shared as a result.

            I truly admire my boss.  She has taught me a great deal about being a leader.  I am hoping that when I become a preschool director, I can emulate many of the characteristics that she has modeled for me.  Because of her style, she is able to motivate staff members in a way that allows them to be the most productive.  I hope that, like her, I can recognize and build on people’s strengths to make the agency as strong as it can possibly be.  Unfortunately, I do not have her gift of humor.  I appreciate good humor, but it is comes across as forced when I try to use it.  I will have to find another way to put people at ease.  I am fortunate to have the opportunity to work with and for her.  I know it has made me a better person and leader.

References

O’Hair, D. & Wiemann, M. (2012). Real Communication: An Introduction (2^nd ed.).

Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). (2005). Code of Ethical

            Conduct and Statement of Commitment. Retrieved from   

            http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSETH05.pdf.