In this episode, Amanda chats with Darrell D. Jones, Lieutenant General, USAF (Ret), President and CEO of Blue Skies of Texas in San Antonio, to discuss the pivotal role of reading in shaping effective leadership in aging services. Darrell shares how his passion for reading has shaped his approach to management and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning.

Darrell offers book recommendations and shares some of the most impactful books that have influenced his leadership style. Additionally, he highlights how reading diverse perspectives helps foster an understanding of the complex needs of residents and staff, leading to more empathetic and innovative solutions.

This episode elevates the conversation on aging with takeaways like:

• Leadership Development: How reading can shape and refine leadership skills in aging services.
• Empathy and Innovation: Using diverse reading materials to better understand and serve residents' needs.
• Continuous Learning: The importance of staying current with industry trends and best practices through reading.
• Community Engagement: Leveraging reading programs to enhance resident life and staff development.
• Technology and Reading: Balancing traditional and digital reading methods in senior living communities.

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Special thanks to Darrell Jones and Blue Skies of Texas!

This episode is made possible by LeadingAge Texas' Partners: LeadingAge Texas Health Plan, Inc. and Ziegler, along with LeadingAge Texas' Diamond Sponsors: Value First and Communities of Faith, RRG.

The episode was mixed and mastered by Maxwell Franko.

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Visit upliftaging.org/episodes for show notes and more information about each episode.

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The Uplift Aging Podcast is a production of LeadingAge Texas.