I recently read an article by Jim Clifton, published by the Gallup Press (2011), called “The Coming Jobs War.” The article had some incredible data points about workplace productivity that made me think about our staff at the Professional Association for Childhood Education (PACE).

A Gallup survey has determined that 28% of the American workforce is engaged, another 53% is not engaged and 19% are actively disengaged! As a leader in Early Care and Education, don’t you think these numbers are scary?! Clifton’s article says that the 53% who are “not engaged” are not hostile or disruptive -- but they are just killing time with little or no concern for customers (parents, clients), productivity, waste, safety, or mission.

The 19% who are “actively disengaged” employees are there to dismantle and destroy your business. They exhaust managers, have more on-the-job accidents, they are sicker and miss more work days. The 28% who are engaged are the best employees who cooperate to build the business. They are the creative force behind success in your business. They help create new customers (increase enrollment) and retain existing customers (children and their families). Wouldn’t you like to have all your staff in the 28%? If we increase employee engagement, we will increase client satisfaction. In order to do this, we must focus on the strengths of our individual employees.

As the leaders in the industry, we must develop the talent and skills of our staff; I think it’s up to us as leaders to inspire our teams to reach their greatest potential. According to former General Electric CEO, Jack Welch, “No company, big or small, can win over the long run without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it.” We as leaders feel passionate about the vision and mission of our organizations/businesses. It is our role to build and foster that passion in our staff; to communicate that their day to day work has a greater purpose! It is also important that staff members have their ideas and input heard so they are part of the decisions and are inspired to succeed.

When I think about how I was inspired to work on improving myself, it was from developing a network of amazing peers at California Society of Association Executives (CalSAE). I found a group of professionals who shared many of my same issues and concerns that I could share with and learn from. I continue to use CalSAE as a model of best practices in managing our association.
When I think about PACE, I would like it to be the place where you network, learn and share with your amazing peers and develop long standing relationships. We would like to be the place you grow and succeed as and ECE professional! We also would like it to be the place where your staff grows and succeeds in their role as director/ teacher or administrator. I know my staff has benefited from their experiences attending professional development trainings/conferences geared to association professionals. We have the perfect opportunity for the professional development of your staff at PACE’s 43rd Annual Conference on October 19th-21st, 2012 at the Oakland Marriott City Center. We have tracks for Infant Toddlers, Preschool and School Age Teachers as well as a wide variety of workshops for you as an owner/director or administrator.

I know it is a continual effort to keep your staff in the 28% but I have found that professional development and networking together has been one the ways for me to inspire my team. I hope when you think of PACE, you think of it as a learning ground for yourself and your staff to reach your greatest potential.

I get inspired by hearing about your successes as an Owner/ Director/ Administrator in Early Care and Education. I would love to hear about how you keep your staff as part of that 28%!

Email me at gina@pacenet.org - I would love to hear from you.