Leading Through Overwhelm: 5 Habits That Keep Leaders Grounded
By Jenny Snider Introduction: Leadership in the Age of Overwhelm Leadership is a gift, but it’s also a weight. If you’re leading an I/DD agency, you know how heavy it can feel—clients depending on you, families trusting you, staff looking to you for direction, and regulators expecting you to meet every standard. Add in endless […]
Scaling with Soul: How to Grow Without Losing What Matters Most
Growth is good. Scaling with soul is better. In fact, for many agencies in the human services space, it’s necessary—demand is rising, expectations are evolving, and the need for sustainable infrastructure is more urgent than ever. But here’s the truth: scaling can be a double-edged sword. Expand too fast without clarity, and you risk trading […]
Stronger Together: Shaping the Future of IDD Care
In an industry shaped by care, compliance, and constant evolution, it’s easy for agency leaders to feel like we’re operating on an island. But the truth is, we were never meant to do this work alone. That’s why the recent QSP Mastermind wasn’t just another event—it was a signal fire for collaboration, clarity, and shared momentum.
Disrupting the Norm: An Unconventional Approach to Excellence in Human Services
By Jenny Snider As the CFO of Compass, an organization serving adults with developmental disabilities, Eric has taken an unconventional path to leadership. Unlike many in the human services industry, Eric’s career began in the corporate world as a financial planner.But a chance connection changed everything. “Like most people, we discover this community through personal […]
From Chaos to Clarity: 5 Proven Secrets to Transform Your SLS/ILS Agency
Running a community-based service like Supported Living Services (SLS) or Independent Living Services (ILS) can feel like a never-ending juggling act — last-minute shift changes, POS tracking nightmares, compliance headaches, and the pressure of delivering exceptional care day in and day out. It’s more than just operations — it’s personal. For those who’ve dedicated their lives to […]
Cultivating Wholeness: How a Stable Work Environment Supports Personal Development
In the demanding world of human services, it’s easy to become consumed by the needs of others while neglecting our personal growth and well-being. However, finding the right organizational culture can unlock both professional success and personal fulfillment. As one seasoned professional with 18 years of experience has discovered, a stable, supportive work environment can help employees thrive in both their careers and personal lives.
Burnout Is Not Inevitable: Embracing Personal Accountability in Human Services
In the human services industry, burnout is often seen as an unavoidable consequence of high demands and emotional labor. However, a new perspective is emerging, asserting that burnout is simply unacceptable. At its core, burnout can reflect a victim mentality—an indication of inadequate boundaries or ineffective self-care techniques. This common narrative should not be worn as a badge of honor; rather, it is a signal that deeper issues related to personal accountability and self-management need to be addressed.
Building Community Through Shared Wisdom and Experience: Reflections from Our Mastermind Event
When working in services for people with intellectual disability, it’s easy to feel isolated, shouldering the weight of decisions and challenges alone. But last week, that changed for many of us. We gathered for a mastermind event that brought together CEOs and key leaders from various organizations who also use our QSP software, with one goal in mind—building a stronger sense of community through shared wisdom. The event, facilitated by our own Melanie Bazile, became a space where we not only shared ideas but also connected on a deeper level.
Delegate Like a Pro: Building Trust in Human Services
In the realm of human services, trust is the cornerstone of effective relationships and organizational success. Whether you’re providing direct support to individuals or managing a team of dedicated professionals, establishing trust is essential. The four cores of credibility, as defined in The Speed of Trust, offer a universal framework for building trust in any organization. These cores—integrity, intent, capabilities, and results—make you believable to yourself and others. The first two cores deal with character, while the second two focus on competence.
If you have read The Four Dysfunctions of a Team or The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni, you will recognize familiar language and concepts, especially “Humble, Hungry, and Smart.” In The Speed of Trust, the visual metaphor of a tree illustrates how all four cores of credibility are interconnected and vital. You can have the best systems and technology in place, but without a foundation of trust with your team, those tools will not get you very far. Additionally, delegating is a principle practice for any manager and delegation can be challenging when trust is not established. Let’s break down these principles of trust further.
Boosting DSP Retention with the Power of Appreciation: Focus on Quality Time
Incorporating Quality Time into our appreciation efforts has strengthened relationships and boosted morale among our DSPs. As we continue to explore and emphasize different appreciation languages each quarter, we encourage you to consider how you can support and honor your colleagues through Quality Time.
By understanding and practicing these appreciation languages, you can enhance your interactions with colleagues and contribute to a more supportive and engaging workplace, ultimately improving DSP retention.