Vitalia Solon Strives to Empower Their Team Members

As leaders, we hold the power to inspire, uplift, and bring out the best in our team members. By fostering an environment of empowerment, we can unlock their potential, drive organizational success, and ultimately enhance the lives of the older adults we serve. As the Executive Director of Vitalia Solon, I want to explore what empowerment means to me, its impact on the workload, and the strategies I use to empower my team members, as well as the current threats to the senior living industry and how empowerment can be a catalyst for overcoming these challenges.

Empowerment, to me, is giving my team the necessary tools to make informed decisions and to act in the service of others. When my team is empowered and I am confident in their ability to handle the delegation, I can focus on the unity and growth of the community, plan goals, and not have to act in crisis mode.

Open, honest communication is imperative when empowering a team. It is important to check in, to make sure they have the necessary tools, but entrust they will make decisions with integrity. Helping them understand we all make mistakes and admitting when we need help is all part of growth.

The greatest threat to the senior living industry is the loss of the caregiving generation. It is a transitional workforce and retaining employees to the point you can truly invest in their development is difficult. More older adults and communities are competing for the limited amount of qualified and dedicated staff.

When I started at Vitalia I walked into an established group. I realized that earning trust was going to be a long journey and it took a year for me to unify and build a team with the shared purpose of growth of our community. There were many conversations, leading by example, and much transparency moving from the previous silos to the team concept.

In conclusion, as a leader, empowering your team members is not just a noble goal; it is a strategic imperative. By fostering an environment of trust, autonomy, and continuous growth, you unlock the full potential of your team, reduce your own workload, and enhance the well-being of the aging adults you serve. Empowerment becomes a powerful tool to navigate the challenges faced by the senior living industry, fostering resilience, innovation, and sustainable solutions. So, let’s embrace the transformative power of empowerment and lead our teams toward a brighter future.