Personal Review Of Learning: How To Be An Effective Leader

Personal Review of Learning

My knowledge, skills and confidence have immensely increased since commencing this professional practice award (PPA). As the setting manager I always understood that my role as manager was to manage and lead the team, I did not realise that these were two completely different yet both very important aspects of my role. When reflecting back on my initial personal targets, goals and self evaluation in my learning contract, it was unclear to me exactly how much I had to learn and grow within my role.

Leadership
‘A leader…is someone who is able to develop and communicate a vision which gives meaning to the work of others. It is a task too important to be left only to those at the top of organisations. Leaders
I now realise that to be an effective manager my role is to plan, set objectives, forecast and to make decisions. Also to organise and co-ordinate staff and to have control over staff’s overall performance. To be an effective leader I understand that this includes giving direction, offering inspiration, building teamwork and by setting examples. In my day to day work I can now distinguish my management tasks from my leadership responsibilities. My management tasks involve checking the playrooms and bathrooms for any potential hazards and to ensure a high standard of cleanliness is maintained at all times, ensuring the indoor and outdoor environment is challenging and welcoming for children and to ensure that staff are deployed appropriately throughout the setting. My leadership responsibilities involve keeping myself updated on the latest government guidelines and literature which can be raised and discussed at staff meetings. Supporting and matching new staff members with experienced staff as mentors, thinking about different ways to evaluate the curriculum and staff performance, planning for continuing professional development for all of the staff and working with or delegating responsibility to staff teams for developing specific policies. As a leader I am also able to share my expertise with staff and to consider the best ways to implement and manage change. Now I have a clearer understanding of these I am able to manage and lead the staff team effectively and efficiently.
On a personal level this PPA has had a huge impact on my confidence and motivation and self evaluation. I now feel that I have the knowledge, skills and ability to support others, manage change, be a reflective practitioner and to challenge