b'LTC LEADERSHIPCreate a culture ofpossibility and potentialLeadership advice thats disruptive in its simplicityBy Fraser WilsonP eople leading and serving inyou will have to address, the more long-term care are passionate,successful and fulfilled you and your compassionate, and driven toteam will become. Alternatively, leaders make a difference in the lives of others.who dont take the time to be with The reality of long-term care is that wetheir people face more grievances, are under a regulatory system that looksconcerns, and investigations. They for fault, and we can tend to focus onbecome inundated with paperwork and pursuing perfect compliance and fixateproblems, stuck in a rut they cant get on what isnt working. Theres no doubtout of.that paperwork needs to be addressed,Change the way you leadcompliance is important, and fixingYou didnt become a leader only to whats broken is necessary. It shouldntbecome a paper-pusher. You became consume the vast majority of our focusa leader to lead people, to improve and energy, but too often it does.performance, and do more of the Focus on work done well work you love. Your responsibility is to Changing your focus from chasingcreate an environment that engages fault and perfect compliance toyour people in a better, brighter future, acknowledging the incredible work thatenables them by investing in their skills is already being done is the spark thatand talents, and empowers them to act will engage the hearts and minds ofin the best interest of the organization your people and make all other and those they serve. progress possible.Overcoming resistanceWhen leaders start looking for the good,To build momentum, to witness theyll find it in abundance. The moremeaningful change, you have to be they acknowledge their people, theconsistent and persistent. Those with more engaged they become, the morelonger tenure will often reserve their initiative they undertake, and the greatercommitment and enthusiasm for new progress they make.initiatives until they know the new Prioritizing your people is the greatestchanges are effective. Most resistors single factor that will enable you toare not intentionally rocking the boat. rise above your daily demands andTheyre clinging to those practices that challenges, get out of your rut, andare familiar. But once they see others start making a meaningful differenceadopt the new ways, do it consistently, with your people. Do this consistently,and see that it achieves better and youll lift spirits throughout theoutcomes, theyll be more willing to give workplace, and yours, too.it a try. Know that some team members just need a little more time, and perhaps a little more encouragement to give it Your presence matters LTCTYou cant create the culture you want byanother go. sitting behind your desk. When you takeExcerpted from Achievable:the time to go to the floor and showA Simple and Proven Way to Create a your team that you care, that youreCulture of Possibility and Potential by interested, that you value them, youll beFraser Wilson, an author and keynote taking the first step toward building thespeaker who has served as a senior culture you desire.executive at several OntarioThe more you embrace and connectlong-term care organizations.with your people, the fewer concernsVisit AchievableCulture.comwww.oltca.com LONG TERM CARE TODAY 45'