Creating a Culture of Encouragement

As leaders, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to positively influence our organizations. But this responsibility extends far beyond simply meeting goals and financial gain – it means we have the chance to truly create a culture of encouragement within our companies and develop the leaders of tomorrow.

Albert Einstein once advised, “in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” When we see people facing a challenging situation, it can be tempting to micromanage rather than give someone the opportunity to succeed on their own – or to fail and learn from their mistake!

In the community of individuals with differing abilities we serve, this opportunity to succeed or fail is sometimes unintentionally taken away by a loved one. A sense of “I need to take care of this person” because of their differing abilities can set up roadblocks to success and independence. At The Arc NCR, we have the pleasure of seeing individuals blossom when encouraged to live, work and thrive independently…even if it means overcoming apprehension and worry.

When I think about thriving thanks to encouragement, my mind immediately goes to one of our favorite couples we support, Sam and Tyrone. Since they began dating three years ago, Sam and Tyrone constantly encourage each other’s personal growth. Sam takes Uber to visit Tyrone. At first, Tyrone was worried about using a ride-sharing app – he had never tried it before! But with Sam’s encouragement, Tyrone now has more freedom thanks to the transportation provided by Uber. They are both working towards obtaining their drivers’ licenses.

Once a member of The Arc NCR’s internal janitorial staff, Tyrone is transitioning to outside employment. Although it can be scary for any of us to find a new job, he is now coaching Sam to reach her goal of doing the same. And Sam’s mom has opened the door to independence with natural supports – Tyrone can visit any time, and they all spend holidays and vacations together.

Tyrone and Sam attending The Arc NCR’s most recent holiday party.

After creating a culture of encouragement for Tyrone, his community living house supervisor, Dana, has witnessed a dramatic change. Tyrone knows what he wants, and what it takes to get things done! He not only comes to Dana with a goal – he outlines a plan on how to achieve it.

What if we all learned to encourage each other the way Sam’s mother, Sam and Tyrone have done? As leaders, we have the opportunity to do so for the people who count on us each and every day. By creating a culture of encouragement, we allow team members to grow personally and professionally – and ultimately, achieve more together.

What are YOU doing to encourage your organization today?