OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE


Whether Born or Grown, There are Leaders in Your Midst


By Joanne Kaldy


S


ome leaders are born, some are grown, and some can come from surprising places. Assisted living


communities need to be on the lookout for potential leaders and get them in the right positions with the tools they need to be successful. “We are constantly looking for leaders


at all levels,” said Loren Shook, president and CEO of Silverado. “We are looking for people who are in alignment with our vi- sion, purpose, values, and core philosophy,” he added. Then when they see people who


share this commitment and show energy and interest in growing and helping the company thrive, Silverado engages them and talks about career paths. All this requires that leaders “always be


looking and listening,” said Tana Gall, pres- ident of Merrill Gardens. She also stressed that it means getting to know your people. Gall searches for people who have heart, a love for senior living, and the “spark” that these things bring. When she finds such peo- ple, they sit down and have what she calls “dream job conversations.”


34 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023


“This involves sitting down without a script


and just talking about what they love about their job and how they think they can add value to the community. We talk about the things that give them joy and how we possibly can craft a job around those,” Gall said. “If we can’t craft that job, maybe we can


involve them in some extra assignments to keep them motivated and engaged.” Finally, she noted, “I tell them that I hope that their dream job is here with this company; but if it’s not, I still want to help them reach their goal.”


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