THE INSPIRATION COMPILATION
FIND YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM
Amber Foster, regional director of operations, Commonwealth Senior Living (CSL) She started in senior living as a weekend concierge while she was still a sophomore in high school, and earned her bachelor's degree in business management.
An encouraging culture and community made the difference in advancement.
I had wanted to be a chef. I was 15, with
a worker’s permit, so I was too young for the fast-food job I had applied for. I saw a post for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the weekends at a senior community, answering phones, interacting with residents, customer service, and thought: I could do that. Being there on the weekends and doing
the littlest things like fixing a TV channel or playing a game of cards meant the world to
them. It was a very satisfying position. The little things were such big things to them. Moving into the management role
changed the way I look at things. I learned very quickly that I needed to look at things from a 30,000-foot view, versus being on the ground doing the work. I had a lot of support from the front lines
because they had worked with me for many years, side by side, so I had the whole team behind me. And other leaders and depart- ment directors at the time wanted me to be successful and helped to guide me through it. I’ve always been known for my calm
approach to things. I learned that if you have a positive attitude, you can get through anything. Things happen, and things are going to happen; it’s all in how you react to it. Keeping a nice, calm focus and mannerisms keeps everyone around you calm.
I’ve learned that not everything has to be
treated as an emergency. It’s all in how you respond to it—and the team will follow suit. If something occurs, and I keep a positive attitude and a level head, then so will my department heads and team, and so will the front line, and then we’ll get through it together. You can’t panic and overreact and get too
easily excited. You just take it, process it, think through it, and then handle it calmly.
TIP: Look to your support system if you’re feeling overwhelmed—they can help remind you who you are, and you can do the same for them.
18 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
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