Trauma-Informed Leadership for Dietary Staff
by Mistin M Warkenthien, CDM, CFPP, CFPM
In the dynamic world of long-term care facilities, dietary staff are essential in promoting the health and well-being of residents. However, these teams often grapple with challenges like managerial turnover and insufficient guidance, sometimes leaving them to manage on their own. Such circumstances can lead to what we might call 'managerial trauma,' affecting staff morale and eroding the effectiveness of team management.
As consultants, we've encountered numerous dietary crews facing these very issues. Our experiences have reinforced the value of trauma-informed leadership—a strategy that pivots from punitive oversight to fostering a culture of support and understanding. Grounded in principles like safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment, this leadership style acknowledges and mitigates the impact of stress and trauma on staff.
The Role of Supportive Leadership
Emphasizing supportive leadership in the kitchen is crucial. This approach is not merely about being agreeable; it's about genuinely understanding the challenges staff face and addressing them with empathy and respect. Such leadership has consistently proven effective, enhancing job satisfaction, reducing turnover, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality meals to residents. It demonstrates that understanding and respecting staff is fundamental to maintaining a high-functioning care home.
Implementing Kind Leadership: Our Approach
Through our consulting work, we've applied several key strategies to promote kind leadership:
Engage in Open Communication: Encouraging leaders to regularly engage with their team, fostering a culture where staff feel comfortable sharing their experiences and challenges.
Provide Training and Support: Identifying areas where the team needs additional support and offering targeted training and guidance to address these gaps.
Recognize and Appreciate Efforts: Showing appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the staff, making them feel valued and motivated.
Foster a Positive Work Environment: Creating an enjoyable and positive workplace that encourages team cohesion and individual satisfaction.
Establish Clear and Fair Expectations: Setting understandable, transparent expectations and policies, while also being mindful of the team's past experiences with autonomous operation due to leadership voids.
Witnessing Transformation Across Environments
Our approach, grounded in trauma-informed leadership practices, has yielded positive outcomes in practically every environment we've encountered. By addressing and healing from managerial trauma, teams become more cohesive, the quality of service improves, and the overall atmosphere of facilities becomes more positive. This transformation underscores the effectiveness of balancing kindness with accountability and high standards.
Embracing Change with AHI's Support
At AHI, we deeply value the principles of trauma-informed leadership and understand the transformative impact it can have on long-term care facilities, especially within the dietary department. Our firsthand experiences across various environments have shown us the effectiveness of this approach in healing managerial trauma and fostering a positive, productive workplace culture.
We're committed to supporting facilities in embracing this change, offering a range of services tailored to the unique needs of each environment.
Our Services Include:
Interim Leadership: Providing experienced leaders who can step in temporarily to stabilize and guide your team through transitions, implementing trauma-informed practices along the way.
Support Leadership: Offering ongoing leadership support to help your existing managers adopt and refine trauma-informed leadership skills, ensuring they can effectively lead and nurture their teams.
Culture Change: Assisting in the transformation of your workplace culture to one that is rooted in the principles of trauma-informed care, fostering an environment of safety, trust, and empowerment.
Remote Morale Support: Offering remote support to boost team morale, address challenges, and provide guidance on maintaining a positive and supportive work environment.
At AHI, we walk the walk. Our approach is not just about providing interim solutions; it's about instilling lasting changes that enhance the well-being and satisfaction of staff, which in turn, improves the quality of care for residents. We've witnessed the positive impact of thoughtful leadership on staff morale and performance, and we're here to help you achieve these outcomes in your facility.
Let's Partner for Positive Change
If you're ready to transform your dietary department—or any area of your long-term care facility—into a more supportive, effective, and compassionate workplace, AHI is here to help. Together, we can create environments where staff thrive, residents receive the best possible care, and the entire community benefits.
Contact us today to learn how we can support your journey towards implementing trauma-informed leadership and fostering a culture of care that reflects the values and excellence of your facility.