Dream More, Learn More, Do More, Become More

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STATEGIES TO INSPIRE COLLABORATION

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.”

— John Quincy Adams 


As the former director of a child care center, I inherited a disconnected staff. They came to work every day because of their love for the children, but they were not committed to the program’s vision; they didn’t even know the vision. They worked side-by-side with their coworkers, but there was no cohesiveness among them. After months of strategic planning, I learned that inspiring others to dream while they learn will invoke them to work well together and ultimately grow! 


HOW DO WE INSPIRE EMERGING LEADERS TO LEARN AND WORK TOGETHER TOWARD A SHARED VISION? 

That is the million dollar question that many in leadership roles have asked themselves. There are several answers, but, through research, dialogue, and eventually trial-and-error, I have learned a few strategies that lay the foundation for inspiring a collaborative team of emerging leaders. 


A team is expected to work together, get the job done, and produce results, but collaboration is hindered when team members do not work well together. Collaboration is also hindered when the leader’s actions do not inspire others. A collaborative team works together through idea-sharing and thinking toward a common goal. Collaboration is essential to team success and inspiring collaboration is essential to the success of a collaborative team. 


Dream more

A collaborative team shares a common goal and vision. They share core beliefs and values. Creating an environment that allows team members to dream entails the leader sharing his/her own vision for the team. This will elicit members to think about their roles, share their dreams, and express their commitment. Dreaming will build a community of trust and ultimately prioritize team actions. 


Learn to trust more

Learn as much as you can from your team. Team members must trust each other if they are going to share their dreams and express their commitment. The trust begins with the leader first trusting the team. Be honest. Work to eliminate conflict and give each team member the benefit of the doubt. Trust is the foundation for a collaborative environment and paves the way to ongoing learning. 


Do more

Take responsibility for being heard and understood. Recognize team members’ efforts by working alongside your team and ensuring that everyone is on the same page. Seeking to understand everyone’s perspective will empower team members. When we lead by example we breed a community of collaboration and growth. 


Become more

When leaders share their vision, encourage trust, and openly communicate, they inspire the team to share goals, learn more about each other and themselves, and prioritize the team’s actions. When a leader dreams, learns, and does more, they inspire their team to become more! 


Here are some more resources that can provide insight into this topic: 

by Paula Jorde Bloom, Ann Hentschel, and Jill Bella 

by Paula Jorde Bloom 

by Diane Whitney, Amanda Trosten-Bloom, and Kae Rader 


Janet Moore is an Assessor and Training Specialist with the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University. She holds a master’s degree in Early Childhood Administration. Prior to working at the McCormick Center, Janet worked as an early childhood teacher, executive director of an early childhood program, and education consultant.

By Barb Volpe July 14, 2025
by barb volpe This summer, as I dove into Mindset : The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck, I found myself reflecting on the books that have shaped how I think, lead, coach, and grow—not just as a professional, but as a person. These books have informed how I show up in my work: how I support others, design and facilitate professional learning, and continue to learn myself. So, I thought I’d share what’s on my shelf—the books I’ve read and returned to, and the ones I’m looking forward to next. Maybe one will speak to you, too. Books I’ve Read (or Reread) This Year (These have sparked recent insights or support current work.) The PD book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development by Elena Aguilar and Lori Cohen . I love a book that is a perfect blend of the “why” and “how to” for designing transformational professional development. I am a big fan of Elena Aguilar’s books, and this is one of my favorites. Lose the Lecture: Engaging Approaches to Early Childhood Professional Learning by Teresa A. Byington . Another great book with lots of tips and strategies to engage early childhood adult learners. This book is great for those who facilitate (coaches, mentors, early childhood directors, and trainers). It gave me new tools for designing interactive sessions. Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath . A go-to resource on leading change, packed with memorable stories and practical strategies. The ideas of “directing the rider, motivating the elephant, and shaping the path” stuck with me. The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier . This book is approachable, concise, and surprisingly powerful—it offers a way to ask key questions for coaching in your regular routine. Onward: Cultivating the Emotional Resilience in Educators by Elena Aguilar . I found myself returning to this throughout the year. It’s not just a book—it’s a companion through the ups and downs of working in education. Books I Return to Again and Again (These books live close by. They are grounding, uplifting, and continue to offer new insights no matter how many times I read them.) Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach: The Power of Dialogue in Educating Adults by Jane Vella . Every time I revisit this book, I’m reminded of the power of listening and true dialogue in adult learning. A must-read for anyone who facilitates learning. Circle of the Nine Muses: A Storytelling Field Guide for Innovators and Meaning Makers by David Hutchens . A playful and powerful guide to using storytelling in professional settings. I return to it when I want to bring more heart and creativity into facilitation. Inspiring Peak Performance: Competence, Commitment, and Collaboration by Paula Jorde Bloom, Ann Hentschel, and Jill Bella . An excellent guide for leaders aiming to build strong teams. It offers frameworks that feel grounded in real early childhood contexts. Reflecting in Communities of Practice: A Workbook for Early Childhood Educators by Deb Curtis, Debbie Lebo, Wendy C.M. Cividanes, Margie Carter . A hands-on, thoughtful workbook that helps teams go deeper together. The reflection prompts are gold for peer learning teams and coaching. The Art of Awareness: How Observation Can Transform Your Teaching by Deb Curtis and Margie Carter . Reading this feels like an invitation to slow down and truly see children. A beautiful reminder of why observation matters. Leading with Heart and Soul by Toni Christie . A heartfelt book on leadership that blends personal reflection with professional purpose. It speaks to the soul of early childhood leadership. I simply love this book; it brings me back to my “why”. Graceful Leadership in Early Childhood Education by Ann McClain Terrell . This book models leadership that is dignified, values-driven, and relationship-based. It’s like a wise mentor in book form. The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander . This book helps me reframe challenges and step into possibility. It’s equal parts philosophical and practical—a favorite when I need inspiration. Books Waiting for Me (On my “to-be-read” list, each is chosen with curiosity and intention. I’m looking forward to what they will teach me!) Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact by Dan Heath and Chip Heath Joy, Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love by Richard Sheridan Small Teaching: Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning by James M. Lang Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor Respect: An Exploration by Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot Exit: The Endings That Set Us Free by Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot These books have informed how I lead, learn, and reflect. I share this list not as a prescription, but as an invitation. I’d love to hear what’s on your bookshelf! Here are a few questions to get you thinking: What is a book that shaped your thinking or affirmed your values? Which titles do you return to again and again—and why? What kind of learning or growth are you seeking right now? Is there a book that might support that journey? What book would you recommend to someone stepping into leadership for the first time? Is there a story or quote from a book that has stayed with you? Each time I finish a good book, I feel like something in me has shifted—even if just a little. The stories, ideas, and questions stay with me and often show up in unexpected ways in my work and life. As Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said, “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” I share this list not because I have all the answers, but because these books have helped stretch my thinking—and maybe one or two of them will do the same for you.
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