At Encompass Early Education and Care, we believe that leadership is not a title—it’s a responsibility. Since the beginning of 2025, our Leaders and Directors—including our Executive Team, Center and Associate Directors, Director of Curriculum, and other key leaders—have been engaging in a comprehensive leadership development journey in partnership with the Utech Group. This process has been designed not only to enhance individual leadership skills, but to strengthen our culture, support strategic goals, and position Encompass as a workplace where people want to stay and grow.
As Executive Director Missy Schmeling says, “The leadership journey at Encompass with UTECH is crucial for fostering growth, innovation, and resilience within the organization.” She shares a favorite quote by Simon Sinek that perfectly captures the spirit of this initiative: “Leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about taking care of those in your charge.”
Why We’re on This Journey
This initiative is deeply aligned with Encompass’s strategic plan and our ongoing commitment to staff support and development. Our goals are both practical and transformative:
What We’re Learning and Practicing
The work we’re doing is grounded in two core frameworks: the Big Five personality traits and a set of clearly defined leadership competencies. Through individual and team reflection, leaders are gaining a deeper understanding of their personal leadership styles and how to use that insight to grow themselves and their teams.
Among the most practiced competencies are:
Across the board, we’re seeing a shift in how our leaders show up. In fact, 76% said that they find themselves reviewing their Big Five Daily. They’re practicing direct, clear communication, explaining the “why” behind decisions, and creating space for feedback and collaboration. As a result, they’re leaning into trust and psychological safety, delegating with purpose, and helping others take ownership of their growth.
Growth in Action
The mid-year reflections speak volumes. Here are just a few powerful insights from team members:
Many leaders are focusing on building stronger relationships, giving more thoughtful feedback, and pausing to let others lead. Others are recognizing the need to step back and ask for help when needed, rather than trying to do everything themselves.
Early Impact
As the Utech team shared, “We’ve witnessed the group grow in openness and vulnerability as individuals and with each other around their own leadership strengths and growth areas.” That authenticity is building a strong foundation for long-term leadership development, and it’s already having an impact.
We’ve seen leaders begin to navigate tension with honesty and grace, using the tools of self-awareness, trust, and intentional communication. One recent example came during a group session where difficult dynamics were surfaced and worked through constructively, something that might not have happened without the foundation of psychological safety this journey is helping create.
What’s Next
Leadership growth takes time. As our team continues to grow in confidence and clarity, we expect to see more and more examples of these competencies at work. Our recent staff feedback offers a promising snapshot—but it’s only the beginning. We’ll continue to build on this momentum throughout the year, celebrating small wins and supporting each other through the challenges.
Stay tuned for more reflections as our leadership journey continues.
