Thinking about congruency as a teenager used to make me break out into a cold sweat – because I associated it with high school geometry – never one of my favorite classes. It was really the first time I learned what congruent meant – and it was in relation to angles – and I knew it just meant they were equal if they had sides of the same length. But if you take the word outside of geometry – some definitions offer us “the quality of being similar to or in agreement with something” even “compatible.”

It’s an important word and meaning to consider as we move through our jobs at Focused Care. In fact, I think the one core principle that lies at the heart of any successful organization— IS congruency. With it, we promote alignment, integrity, and ensure that what we say matches what we do. There is a symmetry to the way we do things – IF we do them with congruency in mind – and that creates a natural continuity within our processes.

In long-term care, this principle isn’t just important, it’s essential.

Congruency means that our values, words, and actions are in harmony. It’s what allows us to build trust with our residents, families, and team members. When we commit to delivering compassionate care, it’s not just a promise; it’s something we live every day. From the decisions we make to the way we interact; congruency ensures that our mission to serve with excellence is reflected in everything we do.

As leaders, we must model congruency in every aspect of our work. Our actions set the tone for the culture we create and nurture—a culture where integrity guides us, trust grows, and care is delivered with unwavering dedication. Each of us has a responsibility to ensure that our teams feel supported, our residents feel valued, and our organization thrives on doing what’s right.

When we are compatible and in harmony with each other – what we are doing is validated – it actually feels right. Being out of sync, disjointed or off key, if you will, definitely doesn’t feel right. So together, let’s continue to strive for congruency in all that we do. Let’s make our words meaningful, our values visible, and our impact undeniable. When we do we do that we feel and see our success.

Lori Strubbe, CEO
Focused Post Acute Care Partners