96. Individual Advocacy: Empower the Team to Own Their Growth and Development

<p>Some of my biggest coaching Aha! moments happen when I talk to my kids.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>Earlier this summer, my son came to my husband with a question that was bothering him. His friend hadn’t been accepted into summer camp, and he wanted to understand why.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>My husband answered that, unfortunately, our son’s friend didn’t have anyone to advocate for him.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>“What does it mean to ‘advocate’ for someone?” he asked.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>My husband explained that advocating for someone helps them get the things they need, usually because they’re unable to do so on their own. It can look like talking to a teacher about homework, buying supplies for a school project, or—in the case of my son’s friend—applying for summer camp. </p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>Without intending to, my husband had provided a crystal clear example of how children differ from adults when it comes to advocacy.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>When kids are still growing and learning, they need parents or other adults to advocate for them. Without this support, they can’t get what they need, because they don’t yet have the tools to do so on their own.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>But adults are different. Although they may still be growing and learning, adults are capable of accessing the skills and resources necessary to advocate for themselves and others…even if it takes some practice.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>That goes for your staff, too.</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>When you’re running around giving your time and energy to solving all the problems throughout your center, it may feel like you’re doing a good thing—after all, you’ve got the answers and want to keep people happy!</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <p>But the reality is that this causes two major issues:</p> <p class="p1"> </p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Leader burnout: Giving 100% of yourself with the expectation that it will make everyone happy and keep them at your center isn’t generosity—it’s emotional