In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Lori Buxton — the managing director of the Association for Early Learning Leaders. Lori has been involved in early care and education in many different facets since 1995, and she is just so passionate about what she does. Lori is a national speaker and training specialist who brings her leadership advice and enthusiasm to thousands. We talk about culture, taking ownership, trickle-down leadership, organizing your life and time, and how experience over environment is what makes a school special. She also gives us some amazing resources that will be useful for years to come. Lastly, remember there is just one more episode before we get to Episode 100 which will feature a very special, surprise guest!   Key Takeaways: [10:28] Lori shares the Reader's Digest version of her background and journey through early education and getting to where she is now. [12:47] Lori explains why she transitioned from being a center owner to working in the role she is in today. [15:39] Lori gives us an inside look at her current home and personal life. [17:38] Kris asks Lori to share some of the recent trends that she has seen this year in the ECE community due to the pandemic. [24:54] Lori shares more about what her role entails at the Association for Early Learning Leaders and what her company does to support ECE leaders. [29:45] Kris and Lori discuss what their personal leadership journeys have been like and some of the realizations and lessons they've learned along the way. [35:23] Lori shares what it means to take ownership of the culture that you set in your organization. [40:41] Lori shares a leadership best practices that she regularly follows to sharpen her leadership saw. [42:40] Kris asks Lori what the one thing is that she would do differently in her career if she had to do it over again. [45:28] Lori shares her favorite resources - her favorite books, podcasts, and even her own webinar! [51:18] Lori shares how you can find out more about AELL and their membership and how you can contact Lori directly.   Quotes: “I’ve worn every hat, every apron, every T-shirt known to man, in a variety of sizes, to get where I am today.” — Lori “Don’t get stuck! Because ‘stuck’ stinks.” — Lori “I don’t care who you are and where you are, life is about pivot. Life is about adapting. And if you’re going to be successful in whatever your role is, you’re going to have to embrace that.” — Lori “My role is not a manager; it is a leader.” — Lori “Culture is not about an environment. It’s not about how much money you can spend. It’s about the experience that every person that engages, every stakeholder has, from top to bottom.” — Lori “It’s not about the stuff; it’s about the people. The stuff should support what the people do, not the other way around.” — Lori “Leaders don’t have to tell you they’re leaders.” — Lori “It really is about who you are not what you do.” — Lori “You attract who you are, not who you want.” — Lori/John Maxwell “Your team cannot evolve any further than your leadership does.” — Lori “When you’re a leader a whisper becomes a shout.” — Kris/Simon Sinek “The larger your influence field is, the louder the message becomes. And that can be a good thing that empowers and gives life. And it can be a destructive thing that tears people down. And you have the control.” — Lori “It is never too late to start taking care of you.” — Lori   Sponsored By: Grow Your Center   Mentioned in This Episode: Kris Murray The Child Care Success Company The Child Care Success Academy The Child Care Success Summit Apply for the Academy here. Lori Buxton Association for Early Learning Leaders Small Talk! with Ron & Lori Lead with LUV on Amazon The Way We Work: What You Know about Working Styles Can Increase Your Efficiency, Productivity and Job Satisfaction, by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias on Amazon