“Leadership is not about what we do. It begins with who we are.”

At Mother Duck Childcare, we believe leadership is less about a title and more about the way we show up in the everyday moments in our families, services and the wider community. True leadership begins from the inside out. Before we can lead others, we must first understand ourselves—our values, our subconscious biases, and the lens through which we see ourselves and others.

Harvard Business refers to ‘Six Principles of Ethical Leadership’. These principles remind us, that in the pursuit of ethical leadership, leaders must focus on the importance of respect, accountability, service, honesty, equity, and community. And yet, these principles only come to life when leaders are actively engaged in self-reflection and self-awareness. 

As Brené Brown shares in her book, Dare to Lead, courageous leadership is choosing what is right over what is easy. It is not about comfort—it is about courage, vulnerability, and integrity. It is about holding tight to our values, even when the challenges around us attempt to pull us in the opposite direction. It’s not when it is ‘smooth sailing’ that our ethics as leaders are challenged – it is how we conduct ourselves when the storm hits and the waves threaten to overtake, that really amplifies who we are. 

As leaders in Early Childhood Education and Care, where we hold the weight of the responsibility of nurturing, supporting and advocating for the rights of young children, ethical leadership is not optional. It is essential. This kind of leadership is not about ticking a box- but rather, it is an ongoing journey of critical reflection and an ongoing commitment to growth and development of oneself, in collaboration with others. 

Most recently, within our Mother Duck Leadership Teams, in response to deep reflection of the Queensland Child Safe Standards, we have been explicitly exploring how effective governance is not just about compliance, efficient systems and processes or written commitment statements. Whilst all these things play an essential part to effective governance, ethical, courageous, transformational leadership – the way in which as leaders in Mother Duck we ‘show up’ and hold to our values each day, is what makes all the difference. 

Over the coming weeks, our Training and Development Officer, Heidi Denner, will explore through blogs and videos, aspects of Mother Duck Childcare’s governance strategies, values and processes. 

These blogs will explore practical aspects of our recruitment and induction processes, our commitment to ongoing training and development and the opportunities our educators have to access leadership pathways. 

Each of these aspects of Mother Duck Childcare’s governance are grounded in our ongoing pursuit of ethical, courageous and transformational leadership. 

Leadership is not about doing more; it is about being more. More self-aware. More courageous. More willing to choose what is hard over what is easy.

And when leaders show up this way, children flourish. Families trust. Teams thrive. Communities are strengthened.

Because in the end, ethical leadership is not simply about governance—it is about shaping futures. And that is a responsibility our Mother Duck Childcare Board and Management Committee carry with courage, integrity, and heart. 

References:

‘Harvard Business’: What is Ethical Leadership and Why is it Important? – Professional & Executive Development | Harvard DCE

Brene Brown: Dare to Lead – Brené Brown

Transformational Leadership: What Is Transformational Leadership?

Queensland Child Safe Standards: Child Safe Standards | Queensland Family and Child Commission