How Healthy Is Your Organization

In today’s blog post I want to bring to the attention of business owners “How Healthy Is Your Organization” in terms of the services that you provide to your clients. 

Below is a podcast of my view on this topic, within this blog post are resources that will equip you to carry out your mission.

Leadership

The leadership of your organization is vital because oftentimes when communication lines and systems are broken it’s the organization’s leadership of where the blame resides.

Your management team as well as those who receive these services look at those who are in charge.

It’s not enough to pass blame to those who are in those positions that render services to the..

• Homeless Clients In Shelters
• Victims in Domestic Violence Shelters
• Recipients of Medical Transportations Services
• Drug Abuse Centers/Shelters

It is the mission of the leadership to ensure that those on the receiving end or being treated with respect and dignity.

My questions to you are:

• How often are you checking on the services that are being rendered to your clients?
• What plans of action do you have in place when you discover mistreatment or abuse?
• When was the last time you updated your clients/employee handbook to address the current issues within the past 2yrs?
• What systems do you have in place to maintain that quality service is being rendered?

Being a leader is about foreseeing problems that could arise and making provision for it.

When you serve in any capacity of assisting the public, you have to address the concerns of your clients as well as the concerns of your employees. 

For those who are just beginning within this area, much of your research can begin with organizations that serve in this area and getting feedback from them.

Investing In Your Team

 I like to look at those who serve within an organization as a team more than as an employee, these are the people who you rely on to represent your organization at the core of its mission.

 When you create an environment of team and relationship building it set’s the environment up for continued growth, and despite the challenges of the position your team will feel connected and will pour into your clients as a result.

 Investing in your team is providing the training they need to handle the issues of those they serve, as well as providing wellness checks to ensure they are receiving services that provide them an outlet when dealing with public and personal issues.

When you invest in your team you are acknowledging their importance to carry out your organization’s mission.

 It does your team a disservice when you place them in a position without the proper training to handle the issues of dealing with clients who have and are experiencing.. 

• Abuse
• Trauma
• Domestic Violence
• Loss
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Drug/Alcohol Addiction
• Mental Illness

 These are the people who your team has to deal with on a daily basis and this is no easy task, your team should be commended for serving a community of people who are going  through these traumatic issues.

So it is vital that you invest in your team, the people they serve may be the only kind interaction they receive that day.

 I know we are in trying times and it may be difficult to get your team to go offsite for training, however there are many services that can support your team online checkout the links below. 

https://nhchc.org/understanding-homelessness/homelessness-resources/

 Below is a link to a guide for shelter training. Use it as a guideline to create your own training manual for your team.

https://sfgov.org/sheltermonitoring//sites/default/files/Documents/sheltermonitoring/Full_Manual_Text_Trainee_Version.pdf

 Your team is just as important as the clients they serve, be sure to invest in them because they are the frontliners of your organization.

Putting Systems In Place 

How do you know if the systems that you have in place are actually working?

• Do you have routine checks?
• Do you have a system that reaches out to your clients to ensure your systems are working?
• Do you have a system in place that allows your clients to give feedback on how they are being treated and the level of service they receive?

 Depending on management to handle these issues is one thing, but what if it’smanagement that is part of the problem? 

 A way to keep everyone on the same page is to do regular check-ins, when you show up unexpectedly it lets your team know that you not only care about what your organization does, you’re invested in it as well.

 There are many people who are suffering at the hands of those who are put in place to help them. As a leader it is your responsibility as well as your mission to ensure that your clients receive the best treatment possible.

 My saying is “ A Leader That Has Disconnected From The People, Has Disconnected From Its Mission”