³Ô¹ÏÍø

Training & Curriculum Specialists play an important role in creating a positive workplace climate—one that demonstrates how valuable employees are to the mission of the organization. Leaders need to use communication and shared decision-making to facilitate a sense of ownership. Leaders are models that demonstrate how to live with integrity, handle errors, commit to the program’s goals, and focus on supporting others in their work. Use this handout to think about and write down your thoughts and ideas about shared decision-making.

Effective decision-making in early childhood and school-age programs can be shared amongst program leaders, staff, and families. Understandably, some decisions do not lend themselves to shared decision-making but must be made by the individual in charge (i.e., Program Manager or T&CS). Again, it is still important to explain to staff and families why a decision had to be made.

Leaders engage staff members in shared decision-making whenever appropriate. Providing clear, honest communication with the staff is important to maintaining positive relationships. Think about all the different methods of communication (e.g., notes, staff meeting discussions) you will use to share information with your staff and list them below:

1. Communication methods I plan to use:
    
2. Leaders engage staff in shared decision-making whenever appropriate. Think about the many types of decisions that are made in a care and education program. List the types of decisions below.

   Decisions for Leadership	Opportunities for Shared Decision-Making
   Example: hiring & termination	Example: changes to a scheduling system or family communication system

3. Sharing responsibilities and allowing staff members to assume leadership within the program is another way Program Managers and T&CSs can build a sense of community. Think about ways you may want to delegate some tasks to staff members. Allowing staff members to take on some program tasks indicates that you are supporting them in their development as teacher leaders.
    

Source: Schweikert, G. (2014). Winning ways for early childhood professionals: Being a supervisor. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.