That Stung: What to Do When You're Trying Your Best and Still Get Complaints
It’s one of the most difficult parts of working in a people first industry. You pour your time, heart, and energy into making things run smoothly. Then, out of nowhere, you get that message, an upset call or a sharply worded email from a resident's family member. Sometimes, the feedback points to a genuine oversight that we must own and correct. Other times? It feels like it came completely out of left field, directly challenging the hard work we do every single day. I recei
17 hours ago2 min read
Leading in the Wild: A Guide to Thriving in ALF/MC
You were selected for your role because you have strong character, foresight, and an excellent work ethic. But if you're coming from a non management role, let's be real: Management is a different ball game. Leading a team in Assisted Living or Memory Care can feel daunting and lonely at times. If you’re struggling to find your footing, remember these four rules for the "wild" side of healthcare: Ditch the "Expert" Mask: You don’t need to know it all. No one does. Be the p
Mar 251 min read
The Low-Energy Survival Guide
In a 24/7 role, a low-energy day is more than just a productivity slump, it’s a thief that steals your time. Here is how I manage the natural ebb and flow of energy we all experience: 1. Seek Connection, Not Just Completion When you feel drained, step away from the computer. Spend two minutes talking to a resident about their life. A moment of real human connection can provide a bigger energy boost than a third cup of coffee. 2. Optimize Your Organization Whether it’s a cla
Mar 41 min read
Why We Speak Your Language
This past week was filled with learning, networking, and a lot of reflection. As many of us sat through sessions led by incredibly knowledgeable individuals with a tremendous amount of experience, and fantastic ideas on how to improve our settings or better meet regulations, I had one recurring realization: We are not all the same. Many of those sessions were filled with "corporate speak". Theories and processes designed for those that may not necessarily already be balancin
Feb 142 min read
The Big D: How Delegation Reclaims Your Sanity
Let’s talk about The Big D: Delegation. If you’re anything like me, you might have spent a large chunk of your career being terrible at it. As a classic Type A personality, I spent years wanting to ensure every task was done exactly the way I would do it. I felt that if I didn't oversee every minute detail, it simply wouldn't be completed. For a long time, my inability to successfully delegate weighed me down. It led to endless late nights, missing family events to "run in a
Feb 92 min read
Finding Your Focus in the Storm
With the dizzying amount of information and the rapidly changing events occurring in Minnesota right now, it’s only natural to find it harder to concentrate on our daily work and professional goals. For some, the weight of the outside world feels constant. For others, work becomes a welcome retreat. There is a unique kind of peace found in the halls of our communities, the joy our residents bring and the incredible history they share, can be a beautiful distraction from the u
Feb 21 min read
