Chances are good you might not be having your best year ever. At least, professionally.
Thanks to a virus none of were even aware of a year ago, the senior living field has been dramatically harmed, perhaps permanently.
Residents and staff are dying, units are emptying, operational costs are rising — and the merits of congregate living are being questioned as perhaps never before.
But despite these unfortunate developments, it’s important to realize that good things also are taking place.
This week’s McKnight’s Women of Distinction program showed that many amazing people in this sector continue to accomplish truly inspiring things. These are people, by the way, who just happen to be women. We recognized 45 of them Tuesday night.
During a Wednesday Forum, some of the best leaders in the business shared some much-needed advice and insight. Here are a few choice cuts:
- From Brenda Bacon, Brandywine Living’s president and CEO: “Find your passion and pursue it with everything you have.”
- From Leigh Ann Barney, Trilogy Health Services’ president and CEO: “Give yourself permission to not be perfect. If you don’t make mistakes, you’ll never get better.”
- From Wendy Simpson, LTC Properties’ CEO and chairman: “Value what the company does. If you don’t, you should move on to a different industry or a different company.”
- From Lynne Katzmann, Ph.D., Juniper Communities’ founder and CEO: “Be who you are and accept who you are.”
- From Jaclyn Pritchett, Brookdale Senior Living’s vice president of human resources – field operations: “You cannot go on your career journey without mentors.”
- From Mary “Molly” Forrest, the LA Jewish Home’s CEO and president: “If the boss is the wrong boss, you will not succeed at that company.”
- From Akia Blandon, the Plaza Rehab and Nursing Center’s vice president of clinical Services, quoting Maya Angelou: “When people show you who they are, believe them.”
Those insights are just the veritable tip of the tip of the iceberg. You can listen to the programs in their entirety by clicking here. (Registration is required but is free.)
Yes, these are difficult times. But as these strong leaders reminded us, we all have it within us to not just survive – but thrive.
