You know the drill. You’re answering emails, juggling six tasks, and putting out more than a few fires — when someone pops in with, “Do you have a minute?”
Sure. Right after you finish holding the entire building up by yourself.
Even if you don’t say out loud, senior living leadership can be overwhelming and exhausting. And it’s not supposed to be this way. You weren’t hired to do every job. You were hired to lead the people who do the jobs.
It’s time to stop flying solo and start building a team that doesn’t just follow you — they lead with you.
Here’s how to make that shift with your team!
Define Leadership by Role — Not Just Title
Mentor your leadership team individually and collectively so they know what leadership looks like in their role.
Instead of vague statements like “Be a strong leader,” try this:
- Own your schedule and your results
- Run your department meetings
- Coach your team and redirect with respect
Clarity creates confidence. And confident leaders stop defaulting to you for every decision.
Inspect What You Expect
If you want leadership, you have to follow up on it.
This isn’t about catching mistakes. It’s about showing that leadership matters. Praise what’s working. Redirect what isn’t. And follow through every time.
Accountability isn’t punishment. It’s a loop: clarity → action → feedback → growth.
Coach Weekly, Not Just Annually
If the only time your department heads get formal feedback is during their annual review, it’s no wonder they feel disconnected.
Keep it simple: schedule 15-minute check-ins every week. Ask:
- What’s going well?
- What are you stuck on?
- What support do you need from me?
These conversations build trust, keep everyone aligned, and cut down on those last-minute “I didn’t know” surprises.
Share the Spotlight
When you take all the wins — or carry all the burdens — your team stays in the background. Highlight their successes. Let them run huddles, update families, or train new hires. The more visible they are, the more confident they become.
People lead better when they believe in themselves. That starts with you showing that you believe in them.
Redefine Delegation as Development
Delegation isn’t about getting things off your plate. It’s about giving your team a chance to grow.
Before you say, “I’ll just do it faster,” ask yourself:
“What if this is their chance to learn how to do it — without me?”
Yes, it might take longer the first time. But it pays off with leaders who can stand on their own.
Final Thought (An Encouraging One)
You’re the heart of your community. But you don’t have to be its hands and feet 24/7.
When you develop leaders who lead with you, the load gets lighter. The community gets stronger. And you finally get to focus on what only you can do.
Because leadership isn’t about doing it all. It’s about building the team that can.
Want to build the kind of team that leads confidently — so you don’t have to lead constantly?
