Leadership Academy 2013-14 LeadingAge New York Feb. 2014 | Page 15

Desmond Jackson
Cottage Guide
Unity Health System – Park
Ridge Living Center

Project Breaking Bread
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?

I would describe my Action Learning Project, Breaking Bread Together, as one that brings the staff of our skilled nursing facility
closer to each other through monthly round table discussions. The pot luck meetings will be held within the cottage and are designed
to foster and grow an environment and culture of team cohesiveness and collaboration among the staff. My hope is that through
non-confrontational conversations while dining, we can get to know each other better and on a personal level begin to better
understand one another. If the staff servicing our elders could rely on and trust each other more they would be able to function
more efficiently as a unit ultimately providing better care to the elders we support. My goal is two-fold as I first expect to impact
the elder’s lives by helping equip the staff with the tools necessary to prove themselves successful as elite caregivers by raising the
level of care being provided from great to excellent. Secondly I hope to increase the staff’s awareness of the importance of what
they do and the impact they have on each elder’s life. Ultimately increasing the staff’s job satisfaction and self-gratification will also
increase our elder’s quality of life.

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?

It’s because of my relationships with the staff I support, the elder’s I serve and colleagues I partner with, that I first thought of this
project. I have found through interactions with our leadership team and staff that what often holds us back from reaching the next
level of excellence is our inability to trust and believe in our counterparts. The direction of this project is still evolving. As a long term
care facility we are continually faced with new opportunities and challenges forcing us to come up with new, innovative solutions.
As a leader I have become more open to listening to the opinions and suggestions of others on how to best proceed on our journey
towards excellence rather than insisting I know or have the best solution. Those who perform the various tasks of a job each day
generally know the best way.

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)?

A few turning points in my learning as I have worked on this plan is the staff’s willingness to speak up and provide some very much
needed feedback on the day to day operations of our facility from not only their perspective, but the perspectives of the elders.
When placed in a comfortable environment and made to feel valued, the staff will divulge crucial information pertaining to what their
challenges are to greatness. A set back or challenge I didn’t foresee or under estimated is the negativity that just one staff member
can spread. In order to achieve success the challenge is getting everyone in one accord and buying into the ultimate goal. Through
continued communication and constant emphasis on the agreed upon monthly opportunity I look forward to the empowered staff
achieving the necessary change.
(continued on page 16)

IGNITE Leadership Academy Action Learning Project 2013-14

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