Executive Director Cheryl Martin Leads with her Heart
Cheryl enjoys spending time with a long-time resident of Prairie City Landing
What makes a strong leader? Is it charisma, intelligence, decision-making, or the ability to inspire others? The question is timeless. On Amazon alone, there are almost 60,000 books with leadership in the title. The answer is complex.
Perhaps the easiest answer is to find a strong leader and learn from their example. Cheryl Martin, the Executive Director at Prairie City Landing, a senior living community in Folsom, California, lifts those around her. Spending time in the community, one senses the trust and engagement of team members and residents alike. I’ve learned a lot about grace, wisdom, resilience, and generosity from Cheryl.
Empathy: Seeing through others’ eyes
Cheryl worked for 18 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant, working one-on-one with people who needed support with the activities of daily living. One of the people she supported, Lois, was unable to use her lower body muscles well. As a result, she spent a lot of time on her belly in bed. She said that being on her back made her feel helpless like a turtle on its’ back. Lois adapted by placing a mirror in front of her, angled so she could best see someone else in the room or watch TV in the reflection. Cheryl quickly caught on to how Lois was using the mirror and placed herself in the right spot to be easily seen in the mirror.
One of the traits of a good leader is empathy for others—to put oneself in their shoes. This was something Cheryl learned quickly. “During times of conflict, she is often able to see things from several viewpoints,” Mickei, the Dining Experience Director, said of Cheryl. Everyone works from a different perspective. Recognizing and celebrating this is one of Cheryl’s great strengths.
Curiosity: Asking questions, not just providing answers
We may look to leaders for their answers, but the best leaders are those who have the questions. Throughout her 46 years of caring for others, Cheryl has remained curious about what those around her can teach her. “If you are open to lessons, our residents teach us a lot,” Cheryl said.
For example, she once introduced someone as a former professor. The resident stood tall and corrected her, “I’m still a psychologist,” she coached. And she was right. Cheryl recognized that a career is part of one’s identity that does not disappear in retirement. “It’s my screw-ups that help me learn the lesson,” Cheryl noted.
Mentor: Building on Strengths
There are plenty of examples of leaders who implement strong-handed policies and procedures in a dictatorial manner. This type of management brings an allure of strength and control. True leaders know they cannot control others; they can only control their own behaviors.
Cheryl leads as a mentor and coach, focused on the person’s strengths. Like any good teacher, she meets her students where they are, building upon their assets. “You see the good and you help develop them based on their strengths,” Cheryl says.
Mickei appreciates Cheryl’s mentoring. “Cheryl…empowers us to forge our own pathways to personal growth,” Mickei said.
Jan McLennon, Resident Services Director, echoes Mickei’s comment. “Cheryl demonstrates her true leadership by lifting others up and empowering them to be their best selves.”
She recognizes that everyone’s strengths are different, and those differences create a more engaged and resilient work environment.
Cheryl (seated in the center) and the team of directors at Prairie City Landing
Trust: The foundation of a community
A group of people living together without trust is just a group of people. They become a community when there is a basis of trust from which to work. Cheryl knows that establishing this trust is foundational. “It allows us to do crazy things, to explore, to have fun,” Cheryl says. For example, taking residents who reside in Harbor Memory Care out to explore local places. Knowing each resident—what motivates them and how they’ll respond—lets the team support residents holistically.
It’s also what exemplifies strong leaders in a time of crisis. “Mistakes are going to happen,” Cheryl said, “What’s important is what happens next.” Because she has built a culture of trust, Cheryl owns those mistakes and learns from them. In the process, her honesty and transparency continue to instill trust. “Her compassion transforms challenges into opportunities and leaves a lasting impact on everyone she leads,” Jan said. With trust as the foundation, challenges and mistakes become growth opportunities, creating a resilient community.
Relationships: At the heart of leadership
In our online world, leadership can be easily mistaken for popularity. People can get a lot of attention online and be influential. Yet real leadership is not about the number of followers; it’s about the strength of one’s relationships.
Early in her career, Cheryl worked for a woman who put her faith in Cheryl’s ability to manage and schedule a group of 150 care providers. Cheryl didn’t know if she had the experience to be successful, but she had the drive to make her boss proud. She valued the relationship, which both motivated and supported Cheryl, who ended up making herself proud.
“Cheryl’s strength lies in her ability to lead by example, balancing courage with vulnerability and making everyone feel valued and heard,” Jan said.
Cheryl has a caring heart. She listens intently and fully. “She always takes time to listen and make sure you feel seen,” Mickei said, adding, “Cheryl leads with compassion first.” Cheryl continues to work because of the strong relationships she has formed over the years. “I work to give back to the people who shaped who I am today,” Cheryl said. The people she initially cared for as a young woman barely out of high school, the people who had faith in her abilities, the team members and residents she has supported in her 46 years—all of these people inspire Cheryl to keep leading at Prairie City Landing.
Cheryl enjoys a stroll through the courtyard with a resident.
Cheryl has created a family around her at Prairie City Landing. It is with that family—and because of that family—that Cheryl has learned the leadership skills that elevate everyone around her. She reminds us that leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being human. It’s about empathy, curiosity, trust, and building relationships.
In the end, the true test of a good leader may not be about finding the leader. It may be about discovering a community of people making a positive impact (and having fun) together. Thanks to Cheryl’s strong leadership, you can find those successful, engaged, and happy people at Prairie City Landing.
Strong leaders attract amazing people! If you’re interested in meeting them for yourself, give our Counselors a call. They’ll be happy to introduce you!
Learn more about our exceptional communities in our latest guide, FAQs: Answers to Your Questions from the People Who Make Tenfold Communities Amazing.
