LTC Leadership and Problem Solving
On this episode of the LTC Heroes podcast, Todd Andrews, President of the CCRC Division at Asbury Communities Inc., sits down with us to share his experience of developing the people and LTC communities he has served.
Todd says his guiding principle throughout his leadership journey has been the concept of “getting to yes.” In other words, how do we get to a point where we’re listening to the needs of our employees and giving them the proper resources in order for them to say yes to the challenges they face? Also, how do we get people to say yes to visiting campuses and other activities amidst the challenges presented by the pandemic?
Todd explains that listening to the people closest to a given problem is the best way to “get to yes” and find a solution that aligns with their goals. He discusses why we should focus on getting back to now instead of normal, noting that we can only move forward by directing our efforts in the present moment.
LTC Improvements
Todd also discusses some of the positives that came from the isolation of the pandemic, including seniors embracing technology and the emphasis put on clear communication.
Todd closes the show by encouraging us to find a balance between being an operator and a dreamer, and also reinforces the idea of putting employees and residents at the center of everything we do in the industry.
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Rapid Fire Q/A
What kind of valuable and actionable advice do you expect we’ll cover in today’s episode?
How we “get to yes.” We’re going to talk a lot about how we can come out of Covid, what things we should be thinking about, and how we can better serve the elders that we care for. We’ll talk about how to engage families differently and also some of the learnings I’ve had over the years.
What is one lesser-known resource, book, or newsletter that you go to when you want to be up to date on LTC info?
For me, the best resource is the people that I know that work in the industry, that I’ve gotten to be friends with over time, that I’ve been in competition with, and that I’ve met at conferences. I think it’s easy to forget sometimes the wealth of knowledge you have in your network.
And I think using that network is very wise when it comes to uncharted times. We’re all learning this as we go. I think you could go to a book, and we all read plenty of management books, but I get a lot more from friends and colleagues in the industry.
What advice would you give your younger self starting in LTC?
Listen, listen, listen, not talk. Listen to what people tell you. Pay attention to what’s around you and learn from your mistakes. And then I would say the biggest one is to be reflective. Realize your part in whatever you’re engaged in.
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