The stories we carry shape how we lead, often without us realising. In early years, these narratives influence who we see as a leader and how we show up. This article and podcast episode explore how leadership stories are formed, the impact they have, and how shifting them can open up more intentional and inclusive ways of leading.

Read the article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/earlty-years-leadership-stories/

This episode is in partnership with The Early Years Leadership Conference and BookedIn.

To find out more about The Early Years Leadership Conference and grab your tickets visit: https://theearlyyearsleadershipconfer6.godaddysites.com/

To find out more about BookedIn and starting booking training visit: https://waitlist.bookedin.online/

Our 2027 conference info & tickets:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/early-years-conference-2027/

Listen to more:

If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like:

· What is professional confidence? – with Dr Lewis Fogarty - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/professional-confidence-finding-the-confidence-to-speak-out/

· Accidental leadership in early years – With Jenny Weidner - https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/accidental-leadership-in-early-years/

Get in touch and share your voice:

Do you have thoughts, questions or feedback? Get in touch here! – https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contact/

Episode break down:

00:00 Introduction and welcome to the live podcast 01:35 About The Voice of Early Childhood and Booked-in Voices 03:05 Introducing Jenny Weidner and today's leadership discussion 04:10 Leadership stories: where our ideas about leadership come from 08:15 The influence of role models and leadership reference points 13:10 Positive and negative leadership experiences 16:05 Internal leadership stories and self-doubt 19:15 Accidental leadership and feeling unprepared for leadership roles 23:00 Imposter syndrome and leadership identity 25:10 Leadership beyond job titles 29:05 Developing professional confidence and recognising leadership in others 31:20 Untold leadership stories and the impact of personal experiences 35:05 Burnout, responsibility and the 'rescuer' mindset 37:20 Moving from accidental to intentional leadership 39:10 Audience reflections: leadership reference points 41:35 Final reflections and closing remarks

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com