IGNITE Leadership Academy LeadingAge New York 2014-15 2014-15 | Page 31

Adam Szymaczak Sales Counselor Canterbury Woods Easing the Transition to a Senior Housing Community 1 How would you describe your Action Learning Project and the difference you hope it will make to advance your organization’s mission (or the field) and benefit the individuals you serve? My role within my organization is based primarily on sales of our independent residences in the LifeCare Community. My Action Learning Project is geared towards building my skill set, which will also allow for me to better suit the needs of those moving into the community. If I want to help those looking into a senior community, I figured the best resource would be seniors who have already chosen to make a senior community their home. In my role of a sales counselor, I gain the trust of those I assist and look for their honest reviews to help others who are a few steps behind. My questions focus on, but are not limited to, information that may have helped previously, what people should be concerned with and ways I could have made the entire process a little smoother. I will stress the importance of honesty and I will not take anything to heart. Instead, I will use the information as a constructive and truly unique opportunity for me to help others in the future. Information will be gathered, saved and shared with my marketing director. 2 How have the relationships you’ve developed as part of your project (with mentors, partners, stakeholders, etc.) influenced this direction and you as a leader? Most people don’t look forward to moving into a senior community and relinquishing many responsibilities that they have become accustomed to while living in their own homes. I find myself in a unique position in retirement services, where I can ease prospective residents concerns while being honest and encouraging throughout the entire process. My project will allow me to build on my skill set but more importantly, to help those looking into senior living communities. 3 What have been important turning points for you, in your own learning, as you’ve engaged with the action learning process (you might consider a surprise, insight, setback, or challenge)? To date I have received nothing but positive feedback from my marketing director. It has not been rolled out entirely, but I have not encountered any negative reactions. 4 How do you hope your project might unfold in the months and years ahead and what impact do you hope it will have on the field at large? What I have gained from my project is the confidence to roll out a new initiative while not directly managing a department myself. My project will influence not only me, but can be used as a template for other sales counselors working within my company to help them grow. It will also positively affect those within and outside the community. 5 How has the action learning process in the context of the Leadership Academy experience contributed to your growth as a leader? I look forward to rolling out this program not only for my growth as an individual, but to allow me to help those in the same field further understand the seniors they are working with and help many more in the future. IGNITE Leadership Academy Action Learning Project 2014-15 31