Written by:
Written by:
In our ongoing quest to bring forth perspectives that inspire and educate, we’re delighted to present an insightful piece by Jordan Tully, a luminary in the Early Years domain. With rich experience and an innate understanding of leadership dynamics, Jordan delves into the core of what it means to be a leader, drawing from personal experiences and lessons learned along the way. This article promises a journey through reflection, review, and continuous improvement, all central to the fabric of true leadership. As you read, we invite you to explore and redefine your own understanding of leadership. Without further ado, let’s dive into Jordan’s thought-provoking narrative.
Whenever I think about what being a leader means to me, I always reflect on two occasions in my career – these are very contradicting times to one another, but both afforded me the opportunity to shape the leader that I am today.
When thinking about what kind of leader I wanted to be I remembered two leaders that I had been lucky enough to have – one of these is going to be the leader you expect me to recall, and the other one is not and is often the opposite of what most people might think of when I say that two leaders shaped who I am today.
I think back to a time in my life when I had a great leader to follow, someone who I knew I wanted to be like when I was a leader myself. The other time I reflect on is when I had a leader who led in a way that I personally and professionally didn’t align with. Both taught me about who I wanted to be as a leader. Both provided me with a lesson. Both shaped me into the leader I am today.
What does it mean to be a leader? This is a question that many people would answer differently. This may be because they might answer with what they think you might want to hear, some people might answer based on their own experiences (both good and bad), and others might answer simply with what they would want to be like as a leader themselves.
The dictionary definition of what is a leader simply states: “British Dictionary definitions for leader – leader. / noun. a person who rules, guides, or inspires others.”
I believe when we think of what it means to be a leader, ‘inspiring’ is something we could all agree would come to mind. To inspire someone is the greatest achievement of a leader. One of the first things to understand that is of great importance is the realisation that leadership and management are very different things and so is the ability to command the respect of your team as opposed to demanding it.
Being a leader isn’t about always being right, always winning, or succeeding the first time around. It’s about influencing and inspiring those who are being led by you, it’s about leading with integrity and always doing what you believe is morally correct.
Being a leader is a responsibility, not a title. It’s about having a vision and being able to inspire others with it, it’s about strategically and critically thinking, it’s about being authentic, creative, self-aware, and open-minded. Being a leader is many things but most of all, it’s an honour and a great privilege that shouldn’t even be taken lightly.
Baroness Karren Brady said: “You should never confuse leadership with management, management is about setting out a series of goals and managing people to deliver them. Very important, but that’s not leadership. Leadership is about vision, and sometimes it’s only a vision you can see and your art as a leader is to persuade people to believe in your vision and help you deliver it.”
As a leader, I always try to ask my team and those I work with, and around for feedback. I always try to ask if there is anything more my team needs from me. Ensuring you are open to feedback is vital as a leader as this allows you the opportunity for further growth and to develop your skillset even further. Being open to feedback allows us the opportunity to continuously improve.
Reflecting allows us the opportunity to develop and strengthen our own skillset, leadership styles and ways of working by reviewing these and strengthening areas of development we are able to improve.
On the 28th June 2022 Forbes said: “Focusing on your weakness is a strength in disguise. The willingness to accept your weakness in the interest of self-improvement is actually a vital strength. It will play a central role in your personal and professional success. Seek and welcome feedback on areas that might need improvement”.
So next time you are lucky enough to be gifted the opportunity to lead a team, think about the leader you would have wanted, think about how you are going inspire those you are leading, and most importantly think about how you as their leader are going to positively impact them. To conclude I wanted to share a quote with you from Simon Sinek “Leadership is not a rank to be achieved, Leadership is a responsibility, a responsibility to see those around us rise”
What does leadership mean to you? share this in the comments below and Keep an eye out for my upcoming articles here on Male Childcare & Teaching Jobs.
Reflect, Review and Improve.
Jordan Tully
This article was crafted by Jordan Tully.
With over a decade of dedicated service in childcare, Jordan Tully has cemented his expertise in both early years and operational management. As the Head of Operations in the Early Years domain, Jordan oversees 29 thriving nurseries, ensuring quality success and operational excellence. Under his leadership, several nurseries have achieved Ofsted OUTSTANDING ratings, and the group itself has expanded from 10 to 29 settings.
His achievements have not gone unnoticed; Jordan was nominated for the prestigious NMT Awards in 2022 and 2023 for exemplary operational management. Beyond his operational role, Jordan is a recognised voice in the childcare sector, contributing to magazines, podcasts, and speaking at notable industry events. A passionate advocate for children’s development, he began his journey with a hands-on apprenticeship and has since worked in various roles that have honed his skills in team management, strategic planning, and childcare best practices.
Nutritional Therapist and Early Years NutritionConsultant
At the intersection of health, nutrition, and early years education stands Louise Mercieca, a dynamic force in the realm of nutritional well-being for young children. A prolific writer with numerous articles and the notable book ‘How Food Shapes Your Child’ under her belt, she has delved deep into the intricacies of how food impacts a child’s development.
Her passion was kindled by two key elements: the journey she undertook with her young son and the extensive research she carried out for her debut book. Not just an author, Louise further extends her reach through the airwaves with her radio show ‘Food For Thought’ on Teacher Hug Radio.
Louise’s commitment doesn’t stop at raising awareness. As an Early Years Nutrition Consultant, she actively collaborates on menu development and nutritional education, ensuring that children receive a balanced and informed start to their dietary journey. Her driving belief is unequivocal: by understanding the bond between food and biology early on, we can preemptively address and potentially prevent many health and dietary issues adults grapple with later in life.
Her dedication to this cause positions her as a beacon for professionals in the Early Years sector, guiding them to understand the pivotal role food plays in holistic child health.
Chef Trainer at LEYF
In the vibrant world of child nutrition and culinary training, Sean Cowden shines as a beacon of expertise and dedication. As of 2022, he took the reins as Chef Trainer for LEYF’s esteemed Early Years Chef Academy courses. Initiated by LEYF in 2019, the Early Years Chef Academy emerged from a pressing need: to guarantee that young learners receive the essential, nutritious food vital for their growth and cognitive development. Through this initiative, chefs are meticulously trained not only in the culinary arts but also in the nuances of child nutrition, sculpting them into experts that inspire children, staff, and parents alike to cultivate lifelong healthy eating habits.
Before his esteemed tenure at LEYF Nurseries, Sean donned the hat of a Head Chef at an independent school, bringing his culinary flair to the academic arena. Additionally, his role as a Training Specialist for Gail’s Bakery further showcases his diverse expertise and unwavering commitment to the world of culinary arts and education.