Competency Reflection(s)
Submit a written reflection on one, two, or three of the competencies that most closely align with your lived experiences, professional pathways, and leadership aspirations. For each competency, please provide a 200-250 word reflection focusing on specific examples that illustrate your perspectives, contributions, and areas for continued growth.
Position-specific prompts are included below.
Leading with Clear Directions
Prompt: Describe how your leadership demonstrates strategic, results-focused thinking rather than operational management.
Include examples of how you:
- Align decisions or initiatives with long-term organizational goals
- Maintain accountability, integrity, and clarity of purpose in leadership roles
- Translate mission, values, or equity commitments into actionable priorities
Leading DEC through Growth
Prompt: Describe a time when you helped lead an organization, program, team, or initiative through growth, transition, or change. In your response, address how you:
- Fostered transparency, trust, and shared ownership
- Supported reflection, feedback, and continuous improvement
- Modeled adaptability, resilience, or mentorship during change
- Explain how these experiences prepare you to contribute to DEC’s ongoing organizational growth.
Connecting People, Ideas, and Systems
Prompt: Describe how you have served as a connector across people, disciplines, organizations, or systems. You may include experiences related to:
- Translating research, policy, or evidence into practice
- Building or sustaining cross-sector partnerships
- Collaborating across early childhood, disability, policy, or higher education systems
Leading with Equity and Inclusion
Prompt: Describe how your leadership addresses equity and inclusion at the individual, organizational, or systems level. Consider how you:
- Integrate equity into decision-making, policy, or governance conversations
- Center the voices, wisdom, and lived experiences of individuals with disabilities and families, and the early intervention/early childhood special education practitioners
- Move beyond representation toward shared influence and accountability
Using Data to Learn and Improve
Prompt: Describe your experience using data, evaluation, or digital tools to inform decision-making or improve organizational performance. You may include examples of how you:
- Used data to assess progress toward goals
- Promoted transparency or ethical data use
- Engaged in virtual or technology-enabled leadership
Developing Policies That Support Equity and Quality
Prompt: Describe your experience developing, reviewing, or influencing policies, guidelines, or governance practices. In your response, address how you:
- Approach complex or competing priorities
- Promote innovation while maintaining organizational integrity
- Address equity, quality, and impact in policy decisions
Working Smarter Together
Prompt: Describe how you apply systems thinking or an ecological perspective in leadership. Consider how you:
- Evaluate the long-term implications of decisions
- Reduce silos and leverage collective expertise
- Promote efficiency, sustainability, or responsible resource use
Child and Family Centered Leadership
Prompt: Describe how your leadership reflects a child- and family-centered philosophy grounded in research, equity, and lived experience. In your response, address how you:
- Center children and families in decision-making
- Elevate underrepresented voices in leadership spaces
- Integrate compassion, evidence-based practice, and equity in your work