Table of Contents
Lead With Purpose: Start With Why
In 2019, I went in for a routine surgery—shoulder repair after years of sports and weightlifting. I expected to be out for the day, but even as I came out of anesthesia, my phone rang with an “urgent” issue at one of my centers.
Sound familiar? Maybe not the exact scenario, but likely something close. Vacations, sick days, even surgeries—rarely do they pass without a call that “only you” can handle.
That’s the reality of childcare leadership. We care deeply. We’re committed. But being “always on” takes a toll.
Here’s what I’ve learned: systems, SOPs, clear delegation, and personal boundaries can help lighten the load. Looking back, I should have had stronger boundaries then—I do now. But even with safeguards, there will always be interruptions, emergencies, and decisions that fall squarely on your shoulders.
And that’s why your why matters so much. Systems help, boundaries help—but your why is the anchor that keeps you steady when everything else pulls at you. It’s what reminds you this work matters, and it’s what carries you through when the weight of leadership feels too heavy.
Your “Why” Will Carry You
Running a childcare center often feels like being the glue between chaos and calm. You're managing staff, paperwork, families, licensing, behavior plans—and doing it all with a smile (or at least a professional face). It’s no wonder that most directors report feeling overwhelmed, under-supported, and burnt out.
And yet—you’re still here. You’re still showing up. That matters.
What we forget—or sometimes lose sight of—is this:
You can’t lead well if you lose sight of why you lead at all.
Now, I get it. Talking about your “why” can sound like fluff, another motivational buzzword, or something pulled from a self-help book. But here’s the truth: purpose isn’t fluff. It’s fuel. It’s what pushes people to do remarkable things despite incredible odds.
And in childcare leadership, your “why” is what keeps you steady when everything else feels chaotic. When you stay connected to it, you’re able to:
- Make clearer choices when stress is high
- Connect with your team in more meaningful ways
- Focus on what matters most instead of drowning in what doesn’t
- Ride out tough seasons with greater resilience
The best leaders aren’t perfect. But they are purposeful. And that makes all the difference.
When the Job Outpaces the Joy
What happens when your “why” gets buried?
- Your reactions become transactional. You shift from leadership to survival.
- Small things feel massive. A staff call-out becomes a breaking point instead of a bump.
- You start scanning for exit ramps. Even when you love kids, the work feels too heavy.
Purpose isn’t a motivational poster—it’s the fuel in the tank. And when it runs out, eventually you will too.
Why Start With Why? (The Golden Circle)
Author Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle is a simple but powerful way to rediscover your purpose. It flips the usual order of thinking:
- Why – What’s your core purpose or belief?
- How – How do you live it out differently or intentionally?
- What – What do you do each day?
Most directors can rattle off the what: We run classrooms. We manage staff. We meet licensing standards.
Some can even describe the how: We use positive discipline, lead team meetings, follow policies.
But very few start with why—and that’s where meaning lives.
Whether you’ve been in leadership for years or are just beginning, starting with your why re-centers your energy and focus.
Crafting Your Leadership Purpose Statement
Here’s where we move from concept to practice. Ask yourself:
- What brought me to this work?
- What part of the day fills me up?
- What do I want my team to say about me when I’m not in the room?
- What do I hope families feel when they walk through our doors?
Then, turn your answers into a 1–2 sentence purpose statement. Here are some examples:
- “I lead because I believe early experiences shape a lifetime—and that starts with the people who care for kids.”
- “I lead to create spaces where children feel safe, valued, and supported every single day.”
- “I lead to give parents true peace of mind, knowing their child is nurtured and protected.”
- “I lead to build strong, confident teams who love coming to work and give their best to children.”
- “I lead to bring calm and clarity into a field that often feels chaotic—so our mission can thrive.”
Post it. Save it. Share it in your office. Revisit it when things get heavy.
Your Personal Purpose + Your Center’s Mission
Once you’ve named your personal why, the next step is aligning it with your center’s mission. Because your purpose doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s what brings the larger mission to life.
Most directors inherit a mission they didn’t write. It might be pasted on a wall or buried in the licensing packet. That’s fine. You don’t need to rewrite it. But you do need to know what your unique role in fulfilling it looks like.
Think of it like this:
- The center’s mission is the recipe.
- Your purpose is the seasoning that makes it meaningful.
Without your voice, the mission stays flat. With your voice, it becomes culture.
Staying Grounded in the Chaos
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including you.” — Anne Lamott
Stress will come. The best way to stay steady when everything spins is to come back to your purpose. Try:
- Post it where you’ll see it daily.
- Pick a grounding word or phrase. (“Breathe.” “Begin again.” “This matters.”)
- Reset routines—even five minutes outside can reset your system.
- Use community—share your purpose with someone you trust so they can remind you when you forget.
Final Thoughts
I never did get that full day off after my surgery. But I’ve come to see those interruptions—the calls, the questions, the unexpected “emergencies”—as more than just inconveniences. They’re reminders of the trust people place in us, and of the impact we get to make.
When we lead from a place of purpose, these moments stop feeling like constant disruptions and start becoming part of the mission. They’re not just work to get through—they’re opportunities to live out what we’re passionate about.
Because when you’re connected to your why, you don’t just endure the demands of leadership—you find meaning in them. You begin to protect your why—so your how doesn’t break you.
Thank you for choosing to lead with purpose. We’re glad you’re here.
Key Takeaways
- Knowing your why makes you a steadier, more focused leader.
- Your personal vision can breathe life into your center’s mission.
- Writing your purpose statement gives you a guidepost to return to.
- Stress happens—grounding helps you move through it instead of getting lost in it.
Resources and Tools
- Write Your Why Worksheet – Reflective prompts to craft your purpose
- Mini Poster Template – Keep your why visible and central
- Team Activity Worksheet – Lead this activity with your team during a retreat or huddle
Reflection & Action
Reflection Prompt: Take 5 quiet minutes and write: Why do I lead—and what impact do I want to make in my center and community?
Your Next Step:
· Share your why in My Community
· Read two posts from peers—and leave encouragement
· Suggested Next: Leadership Essentials– Practical habits and mindset shifts to help leaders go from surviving to thriving!