Empower staff

[chrissy201307]

Hi all
My situation is: I v just moved into a room for a month and m working with the previous room leader now. She believes she is a confident and organised, and I feel she is sensitive and dislikes people not agreeing with her. Eg, I observed parents like watching their child's photos, so I turned on display screen during pickup time for parents look at their child's photos, she said 'no, switch it, parent will be in rush. '
...we had some conflict happened before And I feel such small things so long as it is my suggestions, she would say no.

And both of us felt not being trusted by each other. We had a talk and she said she felt 'I wanna control, but we also understand it is ur responsibility ', and she said wants more praise and encouragement. So what else can I do to let her feel being trusted and empowered?

[chrissy201307]

Hi all
I v just moved into a room for a month and m working with the previous room leader now.
...encouragement. So what

And I m the room leader in this room. Itus tricky situation right? So as a leader how to empower my team ?

[Lorina]

So, you're the new room leader in the room and you are working in the room with the previous room leader... Yes, it's going to be a little tricky because since the other educator was the previous room leader she wants things done as she did them before. She is going to find it hard to accept the changes you implement but since you're the room leader now you just have to do what you think is bes and implement the changes you want! It's good to hear that you both talked to each other about the problems you are having. Maybe you can come up with a list of changes you want to implement in the room and sit down and explain to the previous room leader why you're making those changes. You could also ask her for some suggestions. So, for example you made a decision to turn on the display screen for parents to see children's photos and she asked you to turn it off. So, since you are room leader now you can say "in the afternoon we will be using the display screen to share the photos with their parents. I noticed that the parents are very interested in seeing their child's photos and so are the children". If the previous room leader asks you to switch it off just say "I'm going to leave it on and see how the parents react to it - then we can make a decision whether it's worth having it on or not". Also, when you both have a good day together you can simple say "thanks for your help it's been a good day" etc. or if you see her do something well such as helping a child with their behaviour you could say "you handle that situation well. I would have said the same thing, thanks". She basically wants to hear what she is doing is right...

It will take some time to get use to your new job role but you already both heading in the right direction by being open with one another!

Hope this gives you some ideas,

,
Lorina

[Lorina]

Just wanted to check in... How are things going?

,
Lorina