The Communication Mechanic
Enhancing your communication skills one step at a time.
ABOUT
Welcome to my website! My name is Alison McCormack and I am a Communication Skills Coach. My mission is to empower individuals with practical tools to communicate clearly, confidently, and effectively, whether at work, at home, or in the community. I believe communication is more than just words, it’s about building trust, fostering understanding, and achieving meaningful outcomes. My coaching approach is grounded in real-life applications, tailored to support personal growth and stronger interpersonal relationships. Beyond coaching, I also provide contract support management services within the aged care sector and work as a qualitative researcher when opportunities arise. Check out my latest research project which focuses on conversations from the Aged Care Sector.
Research project: Candid Conversations from the Aged Care Sector
Why now and why this research project? "Timely, Truthful, and Telling: The Case for This Research"
For the past 18 months, I’ve had the unique opportunity in a contract management support role to assist an operator with some issues in a small, independent living retirement village. What I witnessed there, particularly the troubling behaviour of a few core residents, compounded by the complicity of the Statutory Supervisor, was nothing short of astonishing. This situation got me asking questions so I put on my qualitative researcher hat, and couldn’t help but wonder: is this an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern? Digging deeper, I was disheartened to discover that this kind of dysfunction isn’t rare; it’s alarmingly common across the aged care sector. As the workforce within the sector ages, those living and working in the sector need to realise that staff are not an infinite resource, nor are people willing to buy or invest in the retirement sector if the emotional labour is not worth the dollars invested. The well-being and mental health of those working in aged care are being compromised, and this issue can no longer be ignored. Media narratives, often driven by a toxic form of advocacy, tend to amplify the voices of a small minority of residents with personal agendas. This creates a distorted picture that overlooks the vast majority of individuals who are genuinely content living in retirement villages or receiving care. Unfortunately, it’s this vocal minority that fuels what I call a “complaint currency” where conflict is monetised, and ego takes precedence over sharing the more common story of satisfaction and peaceful living. Through this website, I will be publishing articles (themes and findings written up into articles) regularly. I’m keen to hear from those in the sector to build a broad picture of what’s really happening out there in Aotearoa New Zealand and how we can look after the people working in this sector better.
About the Research and Participants
The research aimed to explore the challenges faced by operators and managers within the aged care sector. The goal was to identify key areas for improvement and inform strategies to support leadership roles in the industry better. Participants were operators and managers currently working in the sector, who provided insights into their personal experiences, professional challenges, and existing support systems. Participants represented a range of small, medium, and large-sized facilities. Most held managerial roles, with a smaller number of operators included. There was an even distribution of gender, and participants’ ages ranged primarily from the late 40s and older. Data was collected through in-depth, informal conversations conducted via Zoom, telephone, or face-to-face meetings. Each conversation lasted approximately 45–60 minutes and was recorded (with consent) to produce written transcripts for analysis. All identifying information was removed from transcripts to ensure confidentiality. Discussions focused on participants’ experiences in their roles, the challenges they encountered, and the strategies they used to maintain mental health and wellbeing. Key areas of exploration included the impact of resident behaviour on retirement village operations as well as The role of the Statutory Supervisor, The dispute resolution process, The function of advocacy groups and their representatives, The Code of Practice (CoP),The Code of Residents’ Rights (CoRR), and The Retirement Villages Act. These conversations provided valuable insights into how effectively these systems and structures support, or in some cases, hinder, operators and managers in navigating the complexities of their roles.
Findings
"Nothing But the Truth: Where Candid Meets Controversial" In this section, I discuss why I chose Candid Conversations as my research methodology and the highlights from the conversations I had with individuals working in the sector. I expand on themes that came up in the conversations. For example, in two dispute processes where excessive hubris from one particular party cost an operator thousands of dollars because they stood on principle, the narratives being weaponised from advocacy groups in the sector, not to mention dealing with compliance where Statutory Supervisors walk the thin line between being efficient versus operating in bad faith.
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What's next?
Where to from here? How do we look after our staff better so it's not just a token tick box exercise? Are operators/managers looking after their staff or taking the path of least resistance instead of standing up to vexatious residents or overzealous Statutory Supervisors? The research takes a deep dive into what skills (communication and legislation) are required to stem the flow of toxic negativity some managers/staff are experiencing in the sector.
Insights from participants
How can we improve working in the Aged care Sector
How can I help you?
Communication Skills Coaching
Are you tired of feeling invisible at work? Do you feel like you are being bullied, but no one takes you seriously? Do you feel like you say stuff to keep the peace when really you want to say no? As your Communication Skills Coach I am here to help - there is no job too big or too small that can't be fixed. Contact me today to schedule a consultation so together I can help you unlock your communication potential."
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Are you feeling frustrated and disheartened in your current role? Do you often find yourself facing communication challenges that hinder your professional growth? Are finding that no matter what you it doesn’t change how you feel about your job? Do you feel like you are being micro-managed but don’t know how to change the situation? If so, I invite you to connect with me.
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