I regularly remind myself of the four elements of the FISH Philosophy: Be There, Play, Make Their Day, and Choose Your Attitude. This simple approach captures the importance of balancing self-awareness, enhancing client satisfaction, as well as fostering a healthy workplace culture.

—Zakk Morrison

 

Community Spotlight

Our Community Spotlight series profiles a special member of our learning community: a student, alumni, faculty member, or partner. Discover and read all of our Community Spotlight’s here.

Zakk Morrison

Executive Director
Barons-Eureka-Warner Family & Community Support Services

 

CHA Learning Alumni: LEADS Inspired Leadership Program

Social Media: LinkedIn

Organization Website: www.fcss.ca

Location: Lethbridge, Alberta


Community Spotlight

 

Zakk Morrison exemplifies the transformative power of continuous professional development in action. With over two decades of experience managing prevention-based health initiatives across southern Alberta, Zakk has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering healthier communities through innovative programming, collaborative efforts, and a dedication to growth. As the Executive Director of Barons-Eureka-Warner Family & Community Support Services, he leads with passion and purpose, drawing on a diverse career that spans roles in health promotion, sport development, and support services.

Zakk describes the LEADS Inspired Leadership program as a valuable experience that reinforced and refined many of the leadership practices he had already developed throughout his career. He shared with us his background, reflections on the program, and insights into his role as a leader navigating the challenges and opportunities in rural healthcare.

Read on to discover why Zakk is featured in our community spotlight as he answers our questions and shares the values and strategies that drive his work.

 

In Zakk’s Own Words:

 

For over twenty years, I have successfully managed regional prevention-based health programs, services, and projects across southern Alberta.  During this time, I have held various roles including Coordinator of the Be Fit for Life Centre and the Alberta Sport Development Centre-SE at the Medicine Hat College, Comprehensive School Health Advisor with Alberta Health Services, and I am currently the Executive Director of Barons-Eureka-Warner Family & Community Support Services.

My academic credentials include a Bachelor of Science (University of Alberta), a Master of Science (University of Lethbridge), and the National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration (University of Alberta). For me, an education highlight was completing the LEADS Inspired Leadership Program.  This program nicely packaged elements that I have practiced for many years, but which I was never able to fully articulate. The five domains and associated capabilities of LEADS are now part of my common vocabulary when I speak with my Board, my management team, as well as staff.

My staff and I are continually recognized for our innovative efforts, including the recent Youth Education and Economic Development, Canada’s United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) award for our Youth DO Crew initiative.  I share the credit of my success with a broad range of talented and passionate professionals, who together have created healthier communities.

 

Our Conversation With Zakk:

 

How has the LEADS Inspired Leadership program influenced your career path or approach to leadership?

The LEADS Inspired Leadership Program has been central in re-aligning my approach to leadership by remembering the important lesson of starting with oneself. In the busy world of an Executive Director, it is easy to forget about one’s own growth and development, including learning more about personal blind spots in a leadership role.

Both at home and work, I am dedicated to supporting those around me and doing all I can to meet their needs – an obvious function of a supportive leader.  However, Lead Self reminds me of the safety demonstration on an airplane… “put your own oxygen mask on first before assisting others.”  In the past, I have prioritized engaging others, achieving results, and developing coalitions, often leaving my own professional learning and growth for when there is more time – which never seems to happen.

This program has been a good reminder to prioritize my professional development (i.e. my own oxygen mask), while also serving in my role as supportive leader.

 

Can you share a specific challenge you faced in your role and how the knowledge gained from CHA Learning helped you address it?

Communicating effectively can sometimes be challenging. It can be easy to jump to negative conclusions and/or judgments when entering a constructive conversation or discussions with others.

An important piece of knowledge I have gained from the LEADS program is “Assume Positive Intent (API).”  API has been a helpful piece of knowledge for me to reflect on prior to entering difficult conversations with individuals, or when addressing a team or group. Although it is challenging to consider other perspectives first, API reminds me of the value of considering the intentions of others before jumping to potentially untrue assumptions or conclusions.

 

What trends or changes do you see in the healthcare sector, and how do you prepare for them? How do you stay updated with the latest developments and innovations in healthcare?

I feel an important “call to action” is a renewed effort to collaborate on the delivery of preventative upstream services, particularly in rural areas.

In A Vision to Transform Canada’s Public Health System Report it states, “the pandemic has made visible the importance of bringing together all sectors of society in the fight against COVID-19 – including businesses, civil society, and other government departments. We must now bring that same energy of collaboration to create upstream policy alliances to reduce health inequities, where collective action is based on clear and measurable indicators” (p. 86).

Although the needs of clients and families continue to increase, the health and social sectors support in rural settings continue to decrease. Assuming that future financial and human resources will be limited, it is then important to adopt a collaborative regional service delivery coordination approach to meet the growing needs of individuals and families in rural communities.

 

How do you foster a positive and supportive work environment for your team?

Our positive workplace culture is created and maintained through an environment of trust.  Our trust culture stems from the adoption of Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead approach called BRAVING (Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Nonjudgement, and Generosity).

For our organization, adopting the BRAVING approach begins at the recruitment stage by hiring candidates who align with our organizational values.  We then maintain a positive culture centred around trust by operationalizing our values through clear purpose, role clarity, and supportive and consistent supervision.

 

What is something you have accomplished or worked on that you are proud of?

 In June 2024, I had the opportunity to present at the Come Together, Canadian College of Health Leaders Conference in Halifax with two of my staff.

Our session was called, The Art of Building Community Health Coalitions. The purpose of the presentation was to lead emerging leaders through a scenario-based activity and reflective discussion to better understand the key elements for developing coalitions when designing healthy rural community initiatives. The presentation was partially based on the work of our staff member and co-presenter, Myrna Sopal. For more information, watch Myrna’s Story at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d379LOoyLck.

Our team was very proud to have the opportunity to present our rural knowledge and perspectives at a national conference of health professionals.

 

Can you share a memorable moment or story from your time in the LEADS Inspired Leadership program?

I’d like to thank Mike Benallick – Instructor Extraordinaire! Mike was always quick to respond to my questions, offered helpful suggestions, and was encouraging and supportive throughout my LEADS Inspired Leadership program.

Memorable Moment – Meeting Mike at the 2024 Come Together CCHL Conference.

 


 

LEADS Inspired Leadership Program

LEADS Inspired Leadership brings online the renowned LEADS Learning Series that has been transforming health leadership for more than a decade. Dynamic and interactive courses explore each of the LEADS domains and empower you to enhance your leadership skills in decision making, influencing and inspiring others to lead change and organizational transformation. By the end of the program you will have the confidence to express your leadership voice to meet the challenges you face whenever and wherever they arise.

Enrol today or connect with a learning advisor to learn more about this program and other leadership offerings designed for healthcare professionals!

 

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