Imogen Edmunds, managing director of Redwing Solutions, which specialises in HR for early years settings, on leading at times of immense pressure
At a time when thousands of nurseries and childminders are signing a petition to demand that the DfE delays the implementation of new guidance on extra charges, leaders in the sector are shouldering levels of pressure not seen since the early days of the pandemic.
The danger is that this stress is deflected onto their teams. From an HR perspective, we would advise that there is a risk of creating a workplace culture of anxiety and fear. Here are my top five tips to lead in times of immense pressure:
- Share the storm, not the stress. Be transparent with your team about the challenge, but frame it constructively. This builds trust while preventing panic. Your team doesn't need every detail – but they do need reassurance that you have a plan.
- Spending time ‘on the tools’. When leaders model vulnerability in a healthy way, it invites others to be honest without fear. If your role is often supernumerary, spending time working in the setting can enable spontaneous conversations. I would encourage leaders to also benefit from time away.
- Protect routines where you can. Try to keep daily routines, rotas and team rituals steady and predictable. These offer staff a sense of normality amid wider uncertainty.
- Limit the ‘bleed’ of external stress into the setting. Avoid letting stress leak into everyday interactions. Be mindful of your tone and energy. If you are having a particularly difficult day, consider taking ten minutes away to recalibrate, rather than trying to ‘power through’ and unintentionally transferring anxiety to the team.
- Prioritise kindness and praise. During pressured periods, it is easy to become task-focused and overlook people's efforts. Recognise small wins and showing appreciation.
Join Redwing Solutions at Nursery Owners Summit on 13 June: https://nurseryownerssummit.co.uk
