The Pillars of Ashley House

I’ve often said I believe the three pillars of Ashely House are our values, our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and our focus on Crucial Conversations as a framework for communication. A pillar is often thought of as a religious tenet or the basis on which religious belief is based. A pillar can also be used as a noun to describe a person who has been instrumental for the strength and character of a community. I use pillar here as the basis of support for the way we try to behave and communicate, and for our commitment to provide our kids with the best care and a bunch of opportunities to explore life. Our values, professionalism, integrity, teamwork, compassion and holistic care, are tied to everything we do from developing performance improvement plans to recognizing outstanding performance. They set the tone for how we approach our work and how we hold ourselves in the work environment. Crucial Conversations has taught us the importance of addressing issues, so they do not get in the way of positive relationships and a healthy culture. We are instructed to find common ground, assume positive intent, resist the creation of stories when we don’t know fact, and to create a safe space for giving and receiving feedback. These days you hear a lot of rhetoric about DEI efforts. Many politicians and corporate executives have turned their backs on DEI efforts and blamed them for their own failures. I believe those people don’t understand what a true DEI effort is. It’s not about quotas, political correctness, or blame. I believe any DEI effort should be about understanding and respect and accepting that we come from many backgrounds and experiences and that we all have a contribution to make to the conversation. Research has shown that diverse groups make the best decisions and are more innovative. In healthcare a diverse care team provides better care for a diverse clientele, and Ashley House serves a very diverse client population.

Written by Ken Maaz for the January 2025 Staff Newsletter