Kris welcomes Tasha Santistevan, the Executive Director at Child Time Inc. and a coach for the Child Care Success Academy. Tasha shares her journey from a high school summer job in childcare to her current leadership roles. She discusses her passion for empowering directors and leaders in the childcare industry, offering insights on conflict resolution, collaborative leadership, and the importance of work-life balance. Tasha provides a unique perspective both as an active executive director and coach on the challenges and rewards of leadership in early childhood education, emphasizing the value of continuous learning, servant leadership, and creating a positive workplace culture.
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Here Are the Key Takeaways From This Episode:
[5:57] Tasha introduces her background in early childhood education and how it shaped her career path.
[10:29] Transitioning from managing to leading – what she enjoys most about being a director and leader.
[12:28] Clarifying the difference between a manager and a leader.
[13:58] Insights into Tasha’s personal life and balancing her various roles.
[14:25] A deeper dive into her busy family life and how she manages it all.
[18:07] Effective strategies Tasha uses to stay organized and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
[21:51] Why it’s crucial not to absorb others’ problems and how to manage this as a leader.
[23:37] Tasha’s approach to conflict resolution within her team.
[25:59] Viewing conflict as an opportunity to grow and learn from one another.
[29:56] How leadership styles have evolved and the increasing importance of empathy.
[30:42] The power of practicing “confident empathy” as a leader.
[31:45] The call for servant leadership in today’s workforce.
[32:20] Tasha’s definition of what it means to be a “childcare rockstar.”
[34:13] Bringing fun back to the childcare industry after the challenges of the pandemic.
[35:00] Tasha’s goals and aspirations for the future.
[38:11] A lighthearted reminder: “Life is short — buy the Cadillac!”
[42:01] Emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and personal development as a leader.
