Your Staff is Your Secret Weapon

April 22, 2022

Recognize your Staff/Team are – as Stephen Covey stated – the MOST important people in your organization, your Community.

Without them, who would take care of your residents? Stated another way, without your Team, you wouldn’t have Residents to ‘lay the golden egg’/cash flow to pay you and your Team.

Never underestimate the importance of ‘onboarding’ and who, including the CEO and other Directors, should be involved. Perhaps even a Board member.
In trying to attract Staff, what does your organization offer its Staff that is different from other communities – what distinguishes your Community as an employer?
Let your Staff know you value them – for more than just filling a job.

They are valued human beings – made in God’s image – that care for and love your residents…and one another, on the soul level.

CEO writes a personal letter to each new Staff member.
Department Director writes personal letter to each new Staff member.
Introduce all new Team members to the Board at its regular meetings.
Let them know you hear their pain when gas prices have risen more than $1.00 per gallon in the past year. With this added burden to your Team’s families’ finances, they are forced to make difficult decisions – to make sacrifices. “Do I do without medicine or food?” Their budgets are stretched to the limits and beyond.

Pay them an unexpected ‘gas bonus’ – because you care and love them as much as they care and love your Residents.
Thank each and every Staff person – every day -when they arrive for work and when they’re about to go home – for their commitment to your community and its Residents. Watch them smile and say, ‘No one has ever thanked me for coming to work. Thank you!’

For many reasons, most Staff do not live near your community. They awaken early in the morning, prepare their children’s breakfast, make sure they are dressed and ready for school, then they commute – for 30 minutes up to an hour or more to get to work on time, worrying along the commute, “Will I have enough money at the end of the month? How will I continue to fill my car with gas as prices rise? Will there be enough of me when I get home to be a meaningful support to my family?

Question: Is their work their passion?
They sacrifice in unimaginable ways. We need to acknowledge their daily sacrifices. Tell them how important they are to fulfilling the Mission of the Community. Tell them at the beginning of every shift and tell them at the end of each shift – as they prepare to drive home to their family, not knowing what to expect, ‘except for meals, homework, bathing, dressing for bed, reading them stories and telling their children and family members how much they love them.’

You can’t give away what you don’t have. Fill their cup so they can give it away.

Who would have thought our children would have been forced to ‘learn at home,’ virtually, spending all day on a computer trying to listen to the teacher or trying to interpret some video as the learning tool of the day? Remember just a few years ago, we were constantly reminded how BAD it was for our children to spend too much time on a computer or IPad or technology device. My oh my, how things have changed.
Your Staff have to make choices. If they go to work, who’s watching after their children?
Another way to further ‘embrace’ your Staff is to offer tutorial services to your Staff’s children by your Residents – either virtually (least preferred) or at their homes (may not be feasible) or at the Community (best).
When your Staff return home at the end of a long day at work, they have the comfort and assurance that another interested group has an interest in their children, and their homework is done! The Residents can tutor the Staff’s children either virtually or at the community. Let’s lighten the Staff’s load. Perhaps even prepare a ‘takeout’ meal that the Staff can take home with them (at a small fee). Let them know you love them AND their families. Develop a bond that will stand the test of time of trials and tribulations. Be kind. Love one another. You will be amazed at their loyalty.
Remember their birthdays and anniversaries, their children’s birthdays and other important and significant days in their lives.

Give them just one ‘thought for the day’ and execute it to perfection.
Train them in the importance of customer service, hospitality and proper etiquette. Grow their self-esteem!
Let them know that they are more important than just a ‘position’ – that you value them – the whole person, including their families.

Bishop Gadsden in Charleston, SC gives away a ‘new/used’ automobile – that has been donated by a resident – to a staff member whose transportation is ‘compromised.’ What an awesome gesture.
CRAZY IS GOOD

Do you have staff that have ‘lost’ their transportation (lost license; car troubles; car can’t be repaired; too expensive to repair automobile; can’t afford to pay for gasoline, etc.)?
Idea: 50 cc Mopeds can be purchased for under $1,000. In most states an operator is not required to have a valid drivers license.
What is the difference between a moped and a scooter?

Basically, if there’s a platform where you can put your feet while you are riding, what you are riding is a scooter. If it’s under 50cc then legally it’s classed as a moped. Generally, scooters are more expensive than mopeds, which is unsurprising given their advantages in terms of power and engine size.
Mopeds top out at 40 mph (less with increased rider weight) and may achieve triple-digit gas mileage.
On average, with a 50cc scooter, you can get around 100 miles per gallon.

More to Follow…