Leadership Development

Management can make or break an organization. Having good leaders can lead to higher worker satisfaction, reduce workforce tension, and increase retention levels. In aging services, leaders come at all levels, from the Administrator and CEO down to the nurses overseeing CNAs. Each level can help motivate those they oversee. If given proper training and guidance, every leader in your organizations can be a positive influencer that help changes the lives of staff and residents.

Leadership Development

Some individuals are born to be natural leaders. They have charisma and a talent for getting the best out of their staff. Others need to be developed and trained through leadership development. Regardless of the individual, many key staff can benefit from training.

Below are different training programs, both nationally and in Iowa, to develop the leadership capabilities of your staff.  (LINK ALL THE LAI TRAINIG LINKS TO THE NEW WEBSITE)

• Emerge Leadership Academy  - The LAI Emerge Leadership Academy is designed for new and aspiring Iowa Aging Service Leaders to take their abilities to their own next level. This highly interactive eight-month program blends classroom learning with dynamic experiences including networking, learners learning from learners, visiting some of the most exciting programs in the state and accountability for applied learning. (LINK TO NEW WEBSITE)
• Nurse Leadership Symposium & Social Worker Conference - This symposium is designed to bring together nurse leaders from across the state to connect, collaborate and excel. (LINK TO NEW WEBSITE)
• Assisted Living: Leadership Certification - Assisted Living: Leadership Certification will allow the leadership of the assisted living programs from the administrator, manager and/or assisted living nurse to have an understanding of the core components of a well-managed assisted living program. (LINK TO NEW WEBSITE)
• LeadingAge Iowa Fall Conference – Every year, LeadingAge Iowa puts on a fall conference designed for the leaders of organizations. Break-out session frequently include topics regarding leadership styles and how to motivate staff.
• NurseLEAD - Nurse Leadership Enrichment and Development is an online training program to help charge nurses and team leaders in nursing homes become more effective coaches, leaders and supervisors of frontline staff.
• Leadership Certificate – University of Iowa
  • Class Central is an application that provides access to audit management and leadership training from top universities around the country. Some options include:
    • Leadership Toolkit for Managers
    • Leading Teams
    • Recruiting, Hiring and Onboarding Employees
    • Leading Positive Change through Appreciative Inquiry
    • Developing Your Leadership Pipeline

Managers Engaging with Staff

Communicating and engaging staff is a vital mechanism for keeping employees engaged and energized. Simply talking with staff is not enough. Management must find ways to have “meaningful” conversations that leave a lasting impact on the individuals. Learning the skills of engaging with staff can develop managers into leaders of your organization.

• Engaging your Team Members - Conversation Tools
• 5 Ways to Effectively Communicate with Employees
• 5 Habits of Highly Effective Communicators
• 6 Things Wise Leaders Do to Engage Their Employees
• The Power of Small Wins
• Coaching for Emotional Intelligence: The Secret to Developing the Star Potential in Your Employees
•  In Praise of Praising Your Employees