Do You Inspire Hope Among Your Team Members?

Hope-based leadership is gaining attention these days as managers look for new ways to attract, keep, and motivate team members at all levels. These leaders help their employees envision a bright future and how they can help shape it; and they empower people with optimism and positivity. At a time when practices are emerging from a dark and difficult time, hope-based leaders can help give people comfort, ease stress, and renew their passion for work.

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things…” This may be a simple movie quote, but it is an appropriate guide for you and your team as you move beyond the pandemic and seek ways to build a bright future that attracts and retains the best and brightest clinicians and other team members.

Hope-based leadership involves these key elements:

• Ability to create and communicate a positive vision. There is so much negative press about nursing homes and health care in general, it will empower your teams to envision a bright future. This shouldn’t be an unrealistic vision. It can acknowledge challenges, but it should also address how these can be overcome.
• Ability to build a sense possibility. Lay out a strategic plan for the team. Help them see how even the loftiest goals are actually achievable and how their efforts will make a difference.
• Establishment of relationships that provide energy. During the pandemic, connections with hospital personnel, community organizations, and other entities and individuals were established. Find ways to continue these relationships and connect your team with those outside the organization to share best practices and problem-solve.
• Generation of multiple pathways. Seldom is there a direct path from problem to solution or from today’s challenges to tomorrow’s successes. Encourage your team to be agile and creative strategic planners and problem-solvers. Consider the ‘what ifs,’ both good and bad, and how you might address them.
• Ability to develop strategic patience. Don’t destroy hope by rushing change and getting discouraged with setbacks. Set clear and realistic goals and timelines, then celebrate even small milestones. When you hit roadblocks or experience failure, review, revise, and pivot as needed.