Why building your leaders is better than waiting for the perfect one
In Aged Care, the hunt for the perfect leader can feel endless – someone who knows the regulations inside out, manages compliance effortlessly, inspires teams, and somehow avoids burnout. These leaders are often called ‘unicorns’ for a reason: they’re rare, hard to find, and even harder to keep.
But here’s the truth – you don’t need a unicorn. The right person is probably already in your organisation.
They’re the capable RN who keeps things running when the manager is away. The team leader who knows every resident by name. The quiet achiever who steps up when it matters. They already know your residents, your systems, and your culture: they just need structured support to grow into leadership.
From Unicorn Hunting to Leadership Growing
Providers across Australia are moving beyond recruitment fatigue and focusing on something far more sustainable: building leaders instead of buying them.
Through our Clinical Executive and Mentoring Services, we’ve seen how the right scaffolding can turn strong clinicians into confident leaders. It’s about giving them the tools, feedback, and guardrails to lead with clarity and purpose, all while maintaining assurance for Boards and executives.
Our Approach
We work alongside aged care organisations to:
- Bridge capability gaps in clinical leadership during recruitment or transition periods.
- Embed systems for reporting, risk, and quality that strengthen day-to-day practice.
- Coach and mentor clinical staff to build governance, leadership, and regulatory alignment skills.
- Monitor and interpret clinical indicators to drive meaningful improvements in care outcomes.
It’s practical, tailored, and built around the realities of aged care.
What Works (and What Doesn’t)
After supporting providers across metro, regional, and remote settings, we’ve learned what actually makes the difference:
- Mentorship powers confidence. Pairing emerging leaders with experienced oversight creates faster, safer growth.
- Temporary executive support stabilises teams. It prevents compliance risk and gives new leaders time to find their footing.
- Governance frameworks matter. When reporting, communication, and feedback loops are clear, everyone – from the floor to the boardroom – can see progress.
Real Results
Providers who’ve embraced this approach have:
- Reduced compliance risk
- Built strong internal leadership pipelines
- Improved workforce retention through confidence and capability uplift
- Strengthened board and executive-level reporting and assurance
These aren’t theoretical outcomes; they’re happening now in services that stopped waiting for the perfect leader and started developing their own.
Final Thoughts
If you’re still waiting for the unicorn, it might be time to stop searching. Because the best leaders are already here, they just need the right guidance to rise.
You can chat to us today to learn more about our Clinical Executive and Mentoring Services by giving us a call on 1300 419 119 or team@providerassist.com.au
Mathew Brincat
Chief Clinical Officer
