Stressed to Success: Naturally Curious Childcare's Leadership Journey
At A Glance
Objective
Naturally Curious Childcare sought to alleviate Emily's stress and workload through leadership enhancement.
Approach
Emily engaged in the six-week Liberating Leadership Programme, learning delegation, mentoring, assertiveness, and more.
Results
Emily’s reduced workload and increased assertiveness led to team empowerment and improved decision-making.
Reflection
Emily experienced a personal transformation, fostering a more dynamic, efficient, and autonomous team, benefiting Naturally Curious Childcare.
The Liberating Leadership Programme has been revolutionary for me. It's as though a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Through learning the art of delegation, coaching, and assertive communication, I feel empowered and productive. I now have time to focus on what truly matters. The ripple effect has been incredible; as I have grown, so has my team and Naturally Curious Childcare as a whole.
I highly recommend this programme to anyone seeking to cultivate leadership skills and enhance their impact within their organisation.
Emily Suttling
Operations Director
Naturally Curious Childcare
The Brief
Naturally Curious Childcare, an early education provider with five nurseries based around Hampshire and Basingstoke, was encountering hurdles with leadership effectiveness. Emily, operations manager, was plagued by high levels of stress and overwhelmed by her workload, struggling with delegation and allowing the team to operate autonomously.
What We Did
One of the most impactful improvements was the significant reduction in Emily's workload. This was particularly evident when a manager approached her regarding a challenge with parent partnerships. Instead of taking on the responsibility herself, Emily guided the manager to involve the team in brainstorming solutions. Consequently, the manager was able to formulate a plan based on the team's input without relying solely on Emily.
Additionally, Emily's assertiveness skyrocketed. She began addressing issues more confidently, providing both positive and constructive feedback. For example, she was able to effectively communicate disappointment in certain cases, and in others, she generously recognised a team member’s dedication with flowers and vouchers.
This new-found confidence and assertiveness enabled Emily to focus her energy on prioritised tasks and contributed to the overall betterment of Naturally Curious Childcare.
The Results
One of the most impactful improvements was the significant reduction in Emily's workload. This was particularly evident when a manager approached her regarding a challenge with parent partnerships. Instead of taking on the responsibility herself, Emily guided the manager to involve the team in brainstorming solutions. Consequently, the manager was able to formulate a plan based on the team's input without relying solely on Emily.