Leadership & Initiative Scenarios

Leadership & Initiative Scenarios

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Scenario 1: Supporting a Team - Effective Response

Scenario: Ms. Jordan notices that her coworker, Ms. Lexi, is having a tough morning managing snack time with a group of toddlers. How Ms. Jordan Shows Initiative: She quietly walks over and says, “I’ll come join you at the table to help.” Afterward, he checks in to see how she’s doing and offers to review the schedule to see if it needs adjusting. Why This Works:

• Mr. Jordan steps in without being asked.
• He notices a need and offers help in a respectful, quiet way.
• He supports his team and helps prevent burnout.

Scenario 2: Supporting a Team - Ineffective Response

What Mr. Jordan Does Wrong: He notices the chaos at snack time but continues wiping tables, thinking, “That’s her area, I’m not going to get involved unless she asks.” Why This Doesn’t Work:

• It creates more stress for the coworker.
• It delays support when help is clearly needed.
• It signals that teamwork isn’t a shared responsibility.

Scenario 1: Leading an Activity - Effective Response

Scenario: Ms. Nia’s co-teacher is running late, and the children are starting to get restless during free play. How Ms. Nia Shows Leadership and Initiative: She notices the shift in energy and decides to gather the children for a quick movement song, even though it wasn’t part of the day’s plan. She calmly says, “Let’s come together and get our wiggles out with a fun song!” The children engage quickly, and the transition is smooth. Why This Works:

• Ms. Nia doesn’t wait for someone to direct her, she steps in with confidence.
• She takes charge in a positive, supportive way.
• Her leadership helps children stay calm and connected.

Scenario 2: Leading an Activity - Ineffective Response

What Ms. Nia Does Wrong: She waits for the co-teacher to arrive, saying, “I’m not sure what to do next,” as the classroom becomes noisy and chaotic. Why This Doesn’t Work:

• The children become dysregulated due to a lack of direction.
• Ms. Nia misses an opportunity to step up and lead.
• The situation becomes harder to manage as energy levels rise.

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