Apparently, status is ultra-important to me. I just achieved elite standing on my favorite airline, and now I feel like a conquering hero as I move toward the front of the line and triumphantly stride onto the plane.
Notice I said “achieved,” even though my feat was accomplished by sitting for long periods in a chair in the sky. Quite heroic, wouldn’t you agree?
But there’s another group of people who don’t seem to remotely care about status — those who choose to go far beyond what their actual jobs require in long-term care facilities every day.
You know them well, and maybe you’re one of them. Over the past couple decades writing about this profession, I’ve met so many self-sacrificing heroes, and one trait is overwhelmingly consistent: They’re absurdly humble. They not only don’t seek status, they actively try to avoid it. Which is why they need it, and why we should recognize them. Relentlessly and often.
I’m talking about the staffing director I’ve probably mentioned before. He took personal time off to sit with a former resident in a nearby hospital, so he wouldn’t have to die alone.
I’m talking about the LPN who took the initiative to string holiday lights all over her facility courtyard, bringing the wonder of the season to residents who couldn’t go out anymore.
I’m talking about the resident care manager who opened his home to a co-worker pursuing a college degree on the side.
I’m talking about the nurse who insists on serving her residents up to the last possible moment before boarding the flight she regularly takes to receive her cancer treatment, and remains astonishingly kind and positive through every personal challenge.
Because these folks are so private and self-effacing, it always takes effort to dig out their stories, but they deserve all the attention we can give them. And the ripple effects of spotlighting their selfless acts to the rest of your staff will be a priceless bonus.
For me, one of last year’s highlights was attending the McKnight’s Women of Distinction awards extravaganza and getting to see the uncomfortable but grateful looks on the faces of those singled out on-stage for rare public praise.
Whatever recognition you choose to give quiet staff members, they’ll hate, of course, because they’re humble like that. Status means nothing to them, which is why there’s none more deserving.
