Growing leaders from within

Schlegel Villages has always believed that great leadership at the Village level can make a profound difference in the lives of residents, families and team members. This is why investing in the growth and development of team members is such a high priority and why the organization is committed to growing seven out of 10 leaders from within.

In recent months, the fruits of this commitment could be seen in Villages across the province, both as new Villages have opened and established ones have harnessed talents in new leadership opportunities.

This spring, a group of Schlegel Villages leaders graduated from the Conestoga Colleges Leadership in Senior Living course, which was developed in partnership with Schlegel Villages and has been the foundation of growth for hundreds of Schlegel team members over the years. Among them were Barbara Taylor-Bhagwan, who has held several roles at The Village of Wentworth Heights – including interim Assistant General Manager – and Roderick Cameron, who works as a Food Service Aide at Toronto’s Fairview Nursing Home.  

Both Barbara and Roderick were asked to share what the experience meant to them, and they described coming away with a deeper understanding of themselves, their teams and what it means to lead with intention.

For Barbara, the course was a reminder that leadership is never something we simply arrive at.

“Learning moved from something to be completed to something we lived,” she shared.

Through weekly reflections, gap analysis, strategic planning and other practical exercises, Barbara found herself looking more deeply at the challenges around her and, perhaps more importantly, at her own leadership.

The course taught her to pause before reacting, to look beyond the surface of a problem and understand its root causes. It challenged her to communicate with greater purpose, ask better questions and be more intentional in how she shows up for her team and the residents she serves.

For Roderick, who joined Schlegel Villages in 2023, the course became an important part of his own leadership journey. Encouraged by his leaders to take part, he discovered new insights into his strengths and the kind of leader he wants to be.

Leadership, he learned, isn't about authority. It is about collaboration, compassion, trust and knowing when to listen and when to act.

“Once you can develop that compassion of self, then you have a stronger compassion for the residents that we need to give that compassion to,” Roderick reflected.

He also discovered the power of stepping outside his comfort zone. Working alongside leaders from different areas of the organization initially left him wondering whether he would be able to contribute. Through teamwork, trust and shared learning, however, those uncertainties became opportunities to grow.

That is exactly why leadership development matters, says Schlegel Villages Vice-President of People Christy Parsons.

“When seven out of ten of our leaders come from within, we’re not just filling roles,” Christy says, “we’re growing leaders who already understand our culture, believe in our values, and know what it means to serve our residents and one another. 

“These leaders are culture keepers who will help preserve our family culture and nurture the next generation of leaders as we grow into the future.” 

The commitment to grow leaders from within is about creating those opportunities. It is about recognizing the talent, experience and potential that already exists within the Villages and giving people the support and encouragement to take the next step in their journey.

Barbara captured the heart of that commitment beautifully in her remarks. 

“Leadership is not a title we hold,” she said. “It is the impact we leave behind in each and every life we touch.”