For many nursery managers, one of the hardest parts of the job is finding the confidence to sit down and have a conversation with a team member. Whether it's a friendly welfare meeting or a formal disciplinary, there's a very real fear of ‘saying the wrong thing’.
This fear is deeply psychological. Humans are hardwired to seek social harmony and inclusion. Evolutionarily, being excluded from the group could mean death.
Many managers are promoted for their skills with children, not necessarily for their confidence in managing adults. They may worry about confrontation, being disliked, or making a difficult situation worse.
But avoiding these conversations can lead to bigger issues, misunderstandings, low morale and a perception that problems aren't dealt with in this setting. By contrast, when managers address their fears and grow in confidence, everyone benefits. So, what can help?
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