Leadership Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

When people ask me about my leadership style, they usually expect me to name one of those models you learn in college—authoritative, democratic, laissez-faire, and so on. But in practice, I don’t think leadership works that way.

For me, leadership is person-centered. That means adjusting your style to the needs of the individual. Everyone needs something different from their leader to be their best. Some people thrive when you give them independence. Others need closer direction, more structure, and regular feedback.

I’ve seen this play out plenty of times. For example, I had two new hires start in the same month. One came in confident and capable, and the more I checked in, the more it felt like I was in the way. The best thing I could do for them was set clear expectations up front and then let them go. The other hire needed the opposite—step-by-step guidance, frequent reassurance, and coaching until they found their footing. If I had taken the same approach with both, one would have felt micromanaged and the other would have felt lost. By adjusting my style, both were able to succeed.

Why It Matters in Long-Term Care

Our field is demanding—short staffing, regulations, constant pressure. If leaders assume one style will fit everyone, people will burn out and leave. But when we adapt our leadership to the individual, the results are different:

• Staff feel understood and supported.

• Turnover slows down.

• Residents benefit from better care.

How to Lead This Way

• Pay attention. Watch how people respond to coaching, independence, and recognition.

• Be flexible. Change your approach based on the person in front of you.

• Keep your values steady. Respect, accountability, and compassion shouldn’t shift—but your style should.

• Reassess often. What someone needs in month one may not be what they need a year later.

Closing Thought

Good leadership isn’t about picking one style and sticking to it. It’s about knowing your people well enough to adjust your style so they can succeed. That’s person-centered leadership—and it’s where strong teams and better care begin.