Opinion

Sarah Mackenzie – 'For most of us, honesty is the default'

The saying goes that honesty is the best policy, and that is as true for early years professionals as it is for the likes of government ministers, says Sarah Mackenzie
Sarah Mackenzie: 'For early years leaders, honesty, integrity and trust are fundamental'
Sarah Mackenzie: 'For early years leaders, honesty, integrity and trust are fundamental'

As those revolving doors at the DfE turn again, and the leaders of our country give us their own rendition of the Hokey Cokey with some very questionable additional moves (we’re looking at you Andrea Jenkyns), we keep hearing the words honesty, integrity and trust. We may hold different views on what exactly caused Boris Johnson’s downfall, but a recurring theme has been his relationship with the truth.

For early years leaders, honesty, integrity and trust are fundamental. For most of us, honesty is the default, and we naturally act with integrity and build trust. When does that come under threat though? When we’re worried about the impact of the truth. Worried to have that conversation with that particular parent, knowing that the conversation is going to be a difficult one. Holding back on giving that team member your honest view on something they said or did. Yet the negative impact of not being candid is always greater than the impact of telling the uncomfortable truth.

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Early Years Educator

Munich (Landkreis), Bayern (DE)

Nursery Education Officer

Hackney, London (Greater)

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Streatham Hill, London (Greater)