www.ohca.com FALL/WINTER 2023 The Oregon Caregiver 11 FEATURE Brenda Connelly is the president of The Springs Living. CONTINUES » and getting really hard on myself when I wasn’t achieving it,” she said. “It’s okay if what you say isn’t right on point, or it’s okay if this idea that you bring up isn’t one that the team gravitates toward. Keep bringing up ideas, keep showing that you are invested in the conversation and good things will come.” Connelly encourages staff, especially female staff, to bring up a position in which they aspire to be. She recommends finding a trusted supervisor and surfacing those aspirations because most of the time, people don’t know if someone is interested. It is also important not to get discouraged if an opportunity doesn’t work out the first time. Ask for feedback on what further experience or growth you might need, work hard at it, and try again. “At this stage in my career, one of my goals is to focus on mentoring others toward leadership roles. At times, this means recognizing potential that the individual themselves may not see. There is something so special about watching young leaders develop and grow in their careers right before my eyes. Sometimes we all need a cheerleader and mentor standing next to us in support with getting to that next stage because we can easily get in our own way,” said Connelly. Connelly makes it a point to be her staff’s cheerleader, being approachable and getting to know all the employees at a building when she visits. She always tells them how important they are and that their work is appreciated. The journeys of Silva, Pray, and Connelly in long term care shed light on some of the many remarkable contributions of women in the long term care sector. Their dedication, confidence, and commitment to empowering their teams and future generations of leaders are truly inspiring.
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