Have you seen "Super Nanny", the popular TV series where a ‘real’ English nanny comes to the rescue of distraught parents?
Week after week the nanny smiles as she enters house after house of screaming children and totally dysfunctional parents. The kids are a mess, and the parents - who are the real mess - have all reached their boiling point. You can just imagine these families dialing 911 out of sheer exhaustion.
It’s Super Nanny to the rescue! She sweeps into the situation, disciplines everyone, organizes workable programs, encourages the parents to become "real parents", and in her no-nonsense way - she puts the house right again.
By the end of the program civility is restored and there is hope that the "spoiled" children and irresponsible parents are now on the path to a more healthy life for everyone. Even the children want the Super Nanny to stay with them as the camera fades away and she drives down the street in her tiny British car.
What’s Super Nanny’s secret? I think its discipline mixed with real attention. Oh, not the paddle and punish type of discipline, but a steady, consistent, firm version of rules, schedules and acceptable behaviour. She sets expectations and then lovingly stands behind them. Simple as that.
Sometimes leading people through change is like raising children. They want boundaries, clear expectations and loving attention from those in charge.
What do you think?
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