Ep. 206 - Leadership Lessons in Child Care with Regina Miller

Kris welcomes the joy-inducing and magnetic Regina Miller, a nationally recognized trainer, author, and owner of Trailblazers Academy in Wichita, Kansas. With nearly five decades in early childhood education and 35 years in leadership, Regina shares fantastic insight into what it really takes to lead a team, stay connected as an owner, and build lasting impact in your center.

 

Regina shares some great takeaways from her new book Leadership Lessons, including how to hire smarter, mentor without ego, and avoid becoming an absentee owner. Kris and Regina also talk about how to stay engaged, inspire your staff, and create a culture that works, starting at the top.

 

Key Takeaways:

[5:05] Some exciting new info about the Summit!                                                                                           [7:06] Regina brings more than 47 years of experience in early childhood and 35 years in leadership, with a clear focus on mentorship, literacy, and building long-term community impact.

[8:58] After losing her daughter in 2022, Regina downsized her center to honor her daughter’s dream and now focuses on a smaller, literacy-driven program model.
[11:46] She has no plans to retire and emphasizes purpose-driven longevity in leadership, reinforced by consistent self-care and boundaries.

[14:13] The beauty of an early wake-up time.
[17:02] Her newest book, Leadership Lessons, was years in the making and centers on transparency, personal growth, and lessons from mistakes made as a leader.
[20:34] Regina encourages leaders to stop being intimidated by talented hires. She views strong team members as a resource to grow the organization, not as a threat.
[23:18] New directors often assume the title alone is enough. Regina challenges them to build systems, listen to input, and avoid siloed decision-making.
[25:59] Veteran leaders can become disconnected. She emphasizes the importance of owners remaining present and actively involved in culture-building.
[30:18] Regina is deeply involved in policy advocacy and stresses the need for early educators to be consistently vocal with legislators, not just during funding crises.

[34:04] Fun fact: You may catch Regina on the dance floor, and she moved for four hours at her own birthday party!
[34:24] Joy and energy are core to Regina’s leadership style, and she believes team morale can be shifted through presence, celebration, and meaningful connection.

[36:13] The connection between dancing and leadership.
[39:03] For introverted leaders, Regina recommends finding trusted allies, preparing in writing, and participating in leadership through small, strategic actions.
[41:54] Regina uses creative, real-world training exercises, like immersive people-watching in Las Vegas, to help emerging leaders build confidence and self-awareness.
[45:04] Her upcoming literacy program not only supports child development but also functions as an enrollment strategy by drawing families back into the center.

 

Quotes:

“I believe that all of us have a part. So there’s no better school, bigger school, best school. There’s all of us, and then there are all of these children that need us.” — Regina [8:43]

 

“Hire someone smarter than you.” — Regina [22:08]

 

“As a new leader, be willing to listen.” — Regina [24:14]

 

“Leaders cannot ask of their people what they’re not willing to do themselves. And a lot of times you can’t just delegate that down.” — Regina [29:28]

 

“Once I dance, I make everybody dance. I can boogie off anything you give me.” — Regina [39:29]

 

Sponsored By:

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI)

Use code CCSC5 to claim a free course!

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Kris Murray

@iamkrismurray

The Child Care Success Company

The Child Care Success Academy

The Child Care Success Summit

Grow Your Center

Childcare Education Institute: Use code CDARenewal22 to get $100 off your renewal

Leadership Lessons

Trailblazers Academy

Funding and Advocacy for ECE, Across All 50 States with Cindy Lehnhoff

Sasquatch music festival 2009 — Guy starts dance party