Leadership Issues at Growing Places

Leadership issues at Growing Places.

"Here's where the one-year-olds hang out," said Evan Breyer, the chairman and founder of Growing Places, ushering the small tour group into the Infant 2 room. He couldn't remember the last time he'd helped with a tour at the child care company's flagship facility. Probably not since he'd opened it seven years ago. This was a special case, though–he needed to be on hand to meet some important guests. Besides, he always got a kick out of seeing the children.

Judy Snow, the vice president of corporate affairs, led everyone inside. Four kids decked out in big, sloppy art shirts, elbow deep in shaving cream, were seated along the outer curve of a cashew-shaped table. They smeared and slapped at the mess in front of them.

"That's one of our sensory stations," Judy said. "As you can see, it's a hit."

The other three children in the room were digging through a large toy chest and stockpiling choice pieces of loot. Elmo dolls of all sizes figured heavily in the mix. Judy gestured toward a shelf holding tubs of Cheerios, raisins, and Goldfish crackers, joking to the tour group, "Anyone want a snack?"

In response to this apparently general invitation, a little girl dropped the maracas she'd been clutching and toddled over to the food. The teacher closest to the bins dipped into the raisins with a Dixie cup and said, "Okay, Ada, but just a few."

Judy chuckled and continued with her spiel about activities that develop fine motor skills. After they finished up in Infant 2, Evan thought, they should peek in on the babies – a sweet note to end the tour on – before meeting up with Rob Miranda, the CEO, for lunch.

Evan had asked Judy to arrange this walkabout to woo a potential sponsor for a new program. The board of Growing Places wanted the company to provide scholarships for kids whose families demonstrated financial need, and a corporate sponsor seemed like the perfect way to pay for the scholarships. Of the companies considered, the...