KU Children’s Services CEO Christine Legg comments on imposter syndrome

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Freya Lucas

Nov 14, 2024

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KU Children’s Services CEO Christine Legg was recently celebrated at the Early Childhood Australia National Conference, receiving the prestigious Barbara Creaser Memorial Award in recognition of her over 45 years of service to early childhood as an advocate, champion and leader.

Her professional life has seen her move from being a young parent intrigued by emerging developmental psychology to becoming a national leader in education, to the point where she is now recognised as championing and pioneering high quality early childhood programs.

Ms Legg’s story is one which reflects her intrinsic drive, and her lifelong commitment to creating nurturing and inclusive educational environments for children in their earliest years.

“Chris is widely recognised in the sector for creating opportunities for children to truly flourish,” Helen Conway, KU Children’s Services Board Chair said, “and for helping them to develop their independence, confidence, and their foundational developmental and social skills.”

“Chris has been a steadfast advocate for the value of early childhood education in Australia, and the need to grow, support and elevate the early education profession, to ensure a legacy of high-quality early childhood education exists well into the future.”

“Chris’s work, developing and enabling innovative approaches to community led early education and care, has been pivotal in enabling KU Children’s Services specifically to deliver nationwide services that reflect the needs of Australian families and communities.”

The challenge of imposter syndrome

Despite the esteem with which she is held in the sector, Ms Legg has, like many women, often battled what is termed imposter syndrome - the persistent feeling that one's success is not deserved or has not been legitimately achieved as a result of one's own efforts or skills.

“For the majority of my career, I have been plagued, as many Australian women have, with what is known as imposter syndrome,” she said.

“Carving out my professional identity as an advocate in the early childhood education sector has come together over time, and this journey has been the way I have come to deeply understand my purpose and impact as a leader in this sector.”

Despite the challenges posed by imposter syndrome, Ms Legg has kept her focus strongly on the beliefs which drive her work in early childhood, primarily that education is the key to breaking cycles of inequity and disadvantage and the early education sector plays a crucial role in providing young children a strong foundation in their early education.

“This belief has fuelled my commitment and passion to continue as a lifelong advocate for the sector,” she explained.

“It is so important children are supported to be experiencing all they can, in the time that they are in rather than getting ready to be the person they will be the following year.”

Work with true purpose

For Ms Legg, working with younger children who are developing rapidly is such “interesting and joyful work.”

“As early childhood education professionals, we have the power to deliver high quality early childhood education programs and provide children with opportunities to develop confidence and agency before they start formal schooling,” she said.

“I’m humbled by all I have learnt from those who have been foundational in the growth of the sector over the last 45 years, including the late Barbara Creaser herself. I am privileged to stand on the shoulders of those that have come before me and to lay the pathway for those that will come after me”.

In celebrating the professional life of Ms Legg, KU Children’s Services not only extended congratulations to its CEO on the outstanding achievement, but also expressed gratitude for her continued commitment to excellence through her role as the organisation's leader.

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