Employees report feeling motivated when they are making professional progress.  What does that mean for Directors and Administrators?

 

Make time to sit and talk with each employee about goals that are important to them and important to your program.  Commit the goals to paper, including the support that you are going to offer to help them be successful.  You might consider these Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals...

 

The success rate will be higher (not to mention the corresponding motivation factor) if you check in, offer feedback and course correction (if necessary) along the way.  

 

As you check in as they move along the critical path to achievement, celebrate mini-milestones.  You know what they say - you get what you tend to - so tend to the efforts being made toward goal achievement!

 

If everyone has a goal and everyone is making progress, you'll soon have a lot to celebrate.  Make sure you acknowledge accomplishments in ways that match individual preferences.  Some people want a ticker tape parade.  Others appreciate a heartfelt, but private, note.  Know your staff individually and respond accordingly.

 

If making progress is the key to motivation at work, we're going to need to set new goals as we achieve current ones.  Help your teaching staff make central to your organization's culture.

 

Here's to a motivated staff!