Unifying Principles For Family And Youth By Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Management Consultant and Trainer, Sat Dec 10th
PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republishedin newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is providedto the author, and it appears with the included copyright,resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent topublish is appreciated but not required. Mail to:eagibbs@ureach.com Managers, supervisors, parents, teachers, see if these HeadStart Seven Builders for Family and Youth apply to you as well. Principle 1. Commit to Quality and Excellence in Thought andAction:
* Give quality service to all. * Develop positive habits through daily practice. * Develop and maintain a professional image. * Provide the finest working environment possible. Principle 2. Be Caring of Others and Be Sensitive to TheirNeeds: * Respect the individual. * Listen and acknowledge. *Be aware of what your actions say. * Help others solve their own problems and realize theirmaximum potential. * Eliminate cold prickles and dirtybricks. * Provide warm fuzzes and goldenbricks and with sincerity. * Change leadership style as a person's competence andcommitment grows. Principle 3. Grow as a Total Person: * Commit to self-development and improvement in all areas. * Continually develop and maintain self-esteem and asense of achievement. * Set meaningful goals and evaluate your progressperiodically. * Believe in your ability to make significantcontributions and make them! * Promote training, education, self-sufficiency, andleadership for all children and adults. Principle 4. Have Personal Integrity: * Be honest with yourself and everyone around you. * Be
fair to the best of your ability. * Say and do only those things of which you can be proud. * Understand that mistakes will be made and learn fromthem. * Let others know in as positive a way as possible whentheir performance or behavior is unacceptable, inappropriate,unhealthy, or unproductive. Principle 5. Love All Children (and the Child in All of Us): * Respect and protect each child from harm of any kind. * Direct all efforts to providing a stimulating,exciting, fun-filled, learning environment. Principle 6. Value Parents and the Family (Starting with YourOwn): * Focus on building close interpersonal relationshipsinvolving caring, respect, trust, kindness, and responsibility. * Develop parenting skills, quality time, and bondingwith other parents. * Give recognition for hard work, effort, andaccomplishments. Principle 7. Strive for Agency Unification: * Live the agency's unifying principles as well as your own. * Promote loyalty within the agency by word and action. * Assist in the sharing of ideas and joint implementationthrough teamwork and group goal-setting. * Establish buddy systems to facilitate success. Well, managers, supervisors, parents, and teachers, what do youthink? I'm sure that you'll agree with me that these principlesare as appropriate in the boardroom and workroom as they are inthe classroom. Remember: When you maximize your potential, everyonewins. When you don't, we all lose. About the author:Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Management Consultant and Trainer,conducts seminars, lectures, and writes articles on his theme:"... helping you maximize your potential." Formore information visit www.maximizingyourpotential.blogspot.com, or email him at eagibbs@ureach.com. |