AAHSA President and CEO Larry Minnix

LeadingAge members can soon use a new decision-making framework called Thrive, executives announced Monday at the association’s spring meeting.

Describing it as “the most important thing the association has done in my 14-plus years here,” LeadingAge President and CEO Larry Minnix said Thrive should become a “way of life” as long-term care leaders make decisions.

Members who log into Thrive will be offered different prompts around areas such as strategic partnership. A series of questions are meant to be asked in committee, board or executive meetings.

“Thrive is intended for you to grow, prosper and flourish for generations to come. Thrive is, as scripture tells us, to allow us to be in the world but not part of it,” Minnix said during the opening general session of the LeadingAge PEAK conference in Washington.

In a subsequent conversation with McKnight’s, Minnix said that Thrive is meant to complement programs such as Advancing Excellence.

“Thrive builds on framework of Quality First but boils down to key domains,” he said. “It’s about asking the right questions.” The program and its questions were developed by the LeadingAge board of directors, he noted. He added that it is not a program where “anyone will give you a sticker,” but rather is meant to be a framework for long-term care leaders.

Minnix also said that he has “peace of mind” about his decision to retire this year. The association’s search firm and board executives were meeting with groups at PEAK to discuss members’ vision for the next LeadingAge president and CEO, he explained. The goal is for the next association leader to be formally introduced during the organization’s annual conference in November.

Minnix’s choice for his successor? “The best possible person,” he answered. “This is the greatest job in this field. I don’t want any say.”