A ‘Head Start’ on Leadership

“The Leadership Challenge® is a valuable retention strategy for Head Start administrators who are dealing with ongoing turnover and staff burnout” according to Edward Condon, Executive Director of Head Start WEST, a regional Head Start Association in the western United States.

Head Start is a federally funded early care and education program across the country with some states also offering expanded enrollment through state funding.  Edward is a Certified Master Facilitator of The Leadership Challenge® and has been offering the training and customized assessments to Head Start leaders as part of Head Start WEST’s leadership development for several years.  Their leadership training tailors training for all levels of leadership from agency administrators to mid-managers to staff level leaders – all benefit from understanding that exemplary leaders are recognized by the distinct behaviors they exhibit and that every leader can enhance their leadership skill through training, coaching and consistent effort.

Edward observes that Head Start administrators are fundamentally drawn to and excel in Enabling Others to Act, one of The Five Practices identified by Kouzes and Posner in The Leadership Challenge, 7th edition as exhibited by exemplary leaders. “Head Start administrators are always operating on a shoe string and leadership development is not often in their budget, so we are delighted to be able to offer this world-class training to our Head Start leaders.”