Working with children requires you to be an adaptable leader and teacher, no matter the setting. Learning to Lead will help early childhood professionals at any level cultivate leadership potential and skills with an introduction to leadership theory and practice, including definitions of the functions and styles of leadership.

The roles of empowerment, followership, and advocacy in the leadership process are covered, as well as how to facilitate the leadership development of others. Child care professionals will use their knowledge of child development to understand how to transfer their natural skills to a range of leadership situations. Each chapter is built around a combination of theories, examples, and reflection questions, concluding with a vignette and references for further study.

The third edition includes:

• Updated and expanded material on working with children in a culturally diverse community while addressing the racial and social injustice and inequity in society
• Updated and expanded material on how bias, prejudice, discrimination, oppression, and inequity intersect with cultural differences and diversity
• Updated resources for further reading
• A new chapter on how to create a leadership and advocacy plan based on topics, reflections, and questions in from the book, to help you take on a leadership role in your program.

176 pages

REVIEWS

"In Learning to Lead, Debra Sullivan appears to look directly into the reader’s eyes as she emphatically declares that leadership is not mysterious. And, most important, it is well within the reader’s capabilities. She shares that there are many ways to lead, but the key is purposeful self-reflection as well as making room for the perspectives of others. Anyone in search of a set of formulaic “right answers” will soon learn that there are none. Dr. Sullivan alerts the reader to the “potential smog” that emerges when various needs and perspectives come together. She clarifies the options through vignettes and suggests questions for consideration. Learning to lead is not serendipitous. It is an intentional journey done with a purpose in mind." —Jerlean Daniel, former Executive Director of NAEYC and emeritus faculty at the School of Education, University of Pittsburgh

"Our times require enhanced leadership skills that confront change and unforeseen challenges. Debra's work in Learning to Lead continues to provide a practical framework in adapting to new worlds while maintaining a steady vision of professional growth and integrity." —Luis A. Hernandez, ECE Specialist/Consultant