It’s your third week as the new administrator. You’re making rounds when a certified nursing assistant stops you in the hallway. “I need to talk to you about something,” she says, glancing around uneasily. “But please don’t tell anyone I said anything.”
Your heart sinks. You’ve heard variations of this phrase a dozen times already. Staff are coming to you with concerns, legitimate concerns, but they’re terrified of retaliation. They don’t trust their supervisors. They don’t trust the previous administration. And right now, they’re not sure they can trust you either.
This lack of trust isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s costing your facility money, driving away good staff, and compromising resident care. But here’s the truth: you didn’t create this problem overnight, and you can’t fix it with a single staff meeting or open-door policy.
Building trust requires specific skills, consistent practices, and a comprehensive approach. That’s exactly what the AHCA/NCAL Leadership Academy to Improve LTC Staff’s Trust in Their Leaders provides.
What Makes This Academy Essential
Master the Cornerstone in Trust: The program starts by teaching you the three fundamental drivers of trust and helping you identify your personal “wobbles,” those moments when your leadership falters under pressure. You’ll discover your authentic leadership style and connect it to your personal mission, creating a genuine leadership presence that staff can sense and respect.
Learn Communication Skills That Actually Work: Through 17 strategic sessions, you’ll master listening to truly understand (not just waiting to respond), asking open and honest questions that build connection, and making staff feel authentically recognized. These aren’t conceptual ideas; you’ll practice them in small group breakouts and take-home exercises that you can implement immediately in your facility.
Create Real Psychological Safety: Staff won’t speak up about problems if they fear consequences. You’ll learn specific techniques to build a space where employees feel safe raising concerns, admitting mistakes, and suggesting improvements without fear of retaliation. This directly affects the quality of care and regulatory compliance.
Trust can be built, but it requires the right approach. This 17-session academy provides you and your leadership team with a proven framework, practical strategies, and ongoing support to produce lasting change.
Visit AHCA/NCAL today to learn how the Leadership Academy can transform your facility’s culture, reduce turnover, and build the trust your team deserves.