Caregiving, the overlooked organizational leadership skill

I am staring at a packed suitcase in amazement, ready to fly home for my father’s 68^th birthday.  The amazement…..he wasn’t expected to make it to 63.

The equation of an incredibly rare disorder + numerous life threatening events striking the very systems we take for granted = a poor probable outcome.  At the helm of my father’s life raft I had no idea where to start.

As I watched the morphine drip, I began with the question I’ve been asking for years when someone brings me a problem – we’ve identified the problem, who do we need to help us break it down into manageable pieces so we can move forward?

Questions in hand, I spoke to everyone involved in my father’s care, always ending with my favorite – What am I not asking, because I don’t know enough about this to ask?

As with the workplace, his team began to form.  Knowledge sharing led to the establishment of providers and insurance to address his medical needs.  Rather than battling alone, a crew of over 20 now helped me navigate systems and establish a safe harbor.

With the support of his team, my father overcame the odds and left the hospital.  Unable to sit, stand, or walk – but alive.  Today he walks unassisted, is President of the Resident Council, and has established a General Store that funds field trips for all of the residents at the nursing home to enjoy. 

He has blossomed, just like I’ve seen employees and organizations do over and over again when their leaders/managers/supervisors trust the expertise of their employees and collaborate with them.  I’ve been in the unique position to watch innovative solutions solve incredibly complex situations when a leader understands it is stronger to value the expertise that surrounds them while providing guidance and direction to stay on course.

Many have to choose between caregiving responsibilities and work, but organizations suffer the loss of individuals who have learned to build teams and provide focus in complex, multi-faceted situations.  Recognizing the transferability of these skills opens up the opportunity to encourage employees and foster leadership throughout, ultimately providing a more effective, resilient customer focused organization.