The Courage to Care Deeply: Leadership That Lifts, Protects, and Strengthens
December always brings a natural pause, a moment to breathe, reflect, and look back on the year with gratitude and perspective. In home health and hospice, this reflection hits differently. Our work is deeply human. We step into homes, into stories, into moments that shape families forever. And because of that, the work we do requires more than skill — it requires heart.
This year reminded me that caring deeply is not just something we do; it’s who we are.
Throughout my work with clinicians and leaders this year, one truth continued to rise to the surface: excellence in home health and hospice is anchored in presence, compassion, clarity, and intention. Leadership isn’t only what we say it’s how we show up. It’s the tone we set, the expectations we reinforce, and the culture we build every single day.
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” — Simon Sinek
Leadership in our space has always been sacred work. It requires balancing compassion with accountability, advocacy with structure, support with standards. It means caring for both the patient and the people who care for the patient. It means modeling the excellence you want to see reflected in your team.
And leadership doesn’t just belong to those with a title.
It’s lived out every day by the clinicians and care team members who advocate, support, teach, comfort, and show up with excellence and purpose.
This year taught me that:
Culture is quality control.
Retention is a compliance strategy.
Compassion and accountability must coexist.
Documentation and leadership are connected — both require intention and clarity.
Teams thrive when leaders lead with heart and standards.
Caring deeply is our superpower — but caring deeply with boundaries, clarity, and purpose is where true excellence lives.
As we prepare for 2026, I hope you take a moment to recognize the impact you made this year — the families you supported, the wounds you healed, the conversations you navigated, and the decisions you made with integrity and compassion. Your work matters, more than you know.
If leadership growth and purpose are on your heart heading into the new year, I’d love for you to join me and Natalie for our 2026 Leadership Book Club, launching in January. We’ll be walking through Heart Work — a powerful guide for leaders committed to elevating culture, clarity, and purpose.
You deserve a moment to breathe.
You deserve space to grow.
And you deserve to carry your leadership into 2026 with confidence.
Here’s to courage, clarity, and caring deeply — this year and every year.