Today was such a fun day. I hosted a BBQ for my caregivers and their families. Here’s a little reel from the day. Updated to add my Philippine team.

In an effort to get my team to talk to me BEFORE issues explode into chaos-I’ve created a Mariam Feedback Box. No matter how many 1:1s I have with the team, phone calls, lunches, staff meetings I noticed they aren’t free giving with feedback. Mostly because they claim they love working here, even when it’s a lot going on. I don’t buy it. They MUST put one piece of feedback into the box a week and I will read it back during our Monday sync meetings. They can bring up anything at all. No name is required-but we agreed that they are to type out the feedback since I know everyone’s handwriting 🤣

I have a staffing and scheduling team. They double up as quality assurance. A rule I have in my agency is that this team needs to do at minimum 3 shout outs a week. Today this is an example of a shout out by one of team members: I have a huge shoutout today to Caroline for picking up all of are straggling last shift way to go thank you for making our days a little easier by helping us know your availability Also I had the privilege to do some QA check ins and thank you Yalie your client absolutely loves your motivation to stay busy and making sure she has a good meal before you leave for the day Maurice, Mosese, and Akeimi thank you for always being so helpful touching bases with the family also keep the whole house kept clean and making them feel safe at home. They also wanted to thank you for all the wonderful food you cook for them. Dee and Diana thank you for making your client feel safe at home and protecting her taking to her appointments and also helping with her kitty that follows you around all day during your shift we also appreciate your compassion and pride you show your clients team we wouldn’t be where we are without your excellence and services this is the best way to represent PCC way to go ladies and gentlemen thank you for all your support 🥳🥳 This is done on our Business WhatsApp and doesn’t cost any money. Just intention and effort. You have no idea how this has helped our culture and positive work environment. Please implement some sort of award and recognition program.

I stepped back into hiring recently because our turn out rates for in person interviews has been 🗑️🚮 I met an older male caregiver at a coffee shop in between placement agent meet and greets. Told the team to hire “I like him” I said. Today we found out he went to his first shift last night with a pillow and blanket, first thing he asked for was WiFi. 😒 He’s been pulled out of the agency. Too much wrong to try to course correct. I text that family and apologized.

Last week was intense. We had more starts of care than any other week in the history of my company (all one year of it 😅). On top of that, we held our bi-annual training, pushing my team into overdrive. My staffing manager led the charge, but with so much happening, some balls got dropped. I had to pull her aside during training to help her regulate emotionally. My accounting manager was overwhelmed, too, and I had to coach her through some challenges and teach her what a healthy way communication is between managers and clients. But despite the pressure, we never felt beaten down—because accountability and support went hand in hand. I stayed close to my team, holding them to high standards while ensuring they had the support to push through. To show my appreciation, I sent dinner to their families. Did it stretch my budget? Yes. But the return on that investment—a culture of resilience, gratitude, and loyalty—paid back tenfold. Great leadership isn’t just about pushing your team; it’s about standing with them, recognizing their effort, and reinforcing the culture you want to build. My assistant even found a way to send my scheduler dinner in the Philippines: