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Good morning. Let's face it. This business has some really bad apples that employ terrible regional leadership. I've worked for some of the best and, unfortunately, seen some of the worst firsthand. How do you know if your regional is doing right by you and your team?
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In the world of senior living, leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping the experiences of both residents and employees. The traditional notions of management no longer hold true in this rapidly evolving landscape. We are fortunate to be in an era where great leaders redefine how we lead and inspire others.
So, how can you identify a truly great boss or leader in senior living? Here are five signs to look out for:
1. Acts Like a Guide:
Great leaders, especially regionals, act as coaches, mentors, and guides. They empower their employees to reach their goals like a trainer. These leaders go beyond their official roles and genuinely care about the success of their people. They lift others up, remove obstacles from their paths, and help them become even more successful than themselves. The mark of a truly great coach is someone who strives to make their team members more successful than they are.
2. Recognizes Strengths, Not Just Weaknesses:
It's easy to get fixated on the weaknesses of others. When things go wrong, blaming flaws seems like the obvious choice. However, great leaders understand that true potential lies in recognizing and harnessing strengths. Just like John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach, who focused on the strengths of his players, exceptional leaders in senior living identify the unique strengths of their employees and create opportunities for those strengths to shine. By doing so, they inspire growth, innovation, and excellence.
3. Values Your Story:
Every person has a story—a journey of triumphs, challenges, and aspirations. Great leaders value these stories. They genuinely want to know their employees as individuals beyond their roles. Taking the time to understand personal narratives builds trust and connection. It can be as simple as asking, "How are you and your family?" or engaging in non-work-related conversations over coffee. Building these relationships is crucial to effective leadership in the senior living industry.
4. Embraces Vulnerability:
Authenticity is a cornerstone of outstanding leadership. In senior living, exceptional leaders embrace vulnerability. They don't wear a façade of all-knowing power but instead share their own stories, strengths, weaknesses, hopes, and fears. They show up as their true selves, fostering an environment where everyone feels comfortable doing the same. Recognizing that we are all human beings, great leaders in senior living create spaces where people can bring their whole selves to work and flourish.
5. Challenges the Status Quo:
This one is huge. Like any other, our industry can stagnate without change. Exceptional leaders understand this and are unafraid to challenge convention. They question why things are done a certain way and seek better alternatives. They embrace experimentation and are open to challenging the status quo. These leaders recognize that progress requires taking risks, adopting new practices, leveraging technology, and redesigning work environments. They understand adaptability is critical to staying relevant and delivering exceptional care and services.
In senior living, great bosses and leaders are the driving force behind meaningful experiences for both residents and employees. By embodying the qualities of a coach, recognizing strengths, valuing personal stories, embracing vulnerability, and challenging the status quo, they inspire teams to excel, innovate, and create positive change. Let us celebrate and emulate these exceptional leaders shaping the future of senior living with their vision, compassion, and determination.
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