The Connection That Makes Leading in IDD So Much Easier
If you work in IDD services long enough, you eventually run into the same moment every leader hits:
You’re doing everything you can to keep staffing stable, keep teams supported, keep services high-quality… and suddenly you realize you’ve been carrying the weight alone.
Not because you’re trying to be a martyr.
Not because you don’t care.
But because the default pace of the work slowly pulls leaders into isolation.
And in that isolation, problems feel heavier, solutions feel smaller, and the wins—when they come—feel short-lived.
But there’s a different path. And for many leaders, it's been right in front of them the whole time.
When You’re Underwater, Connection Changes Everything
In the latest episode of The IDD Leader Podcast, I sat down with Tim Sohosky, IDD Director at RCPA—Pennsylvania’s statewide provider association. Tim has spent decades in the field, from DSP to COO to statewide advocate, and he shared something every leader needs to hear:
You're not meant to navigate this field alone.
Strong leaders don’t just “figure it out.”
They connect early, ask for help, and stay close to the people shaping the landscape—from regulators to legislators to other providers facing the same pressures.
And that single shift—moving out of isolation and into connection—can completely change the trajectory of your organization.
Your Work Gets Lighter When Your Vision Gets Wider
One takeaway from my conversation with Tim stood out above all the rest:
Leaders who stay informed and connected make better, faster decisions—and their teams feel the impact almost immediately.
Think about it:
New regulations stop blindsiding you.
You hear emerging issues months earlier than you used to.
You see solutions tested across dozens of agencies—not just your own.
You gain a clearer sense of where the field is headed, not just where it’s been.
When you’re leading in a field as complex as IDD, this isn’t optional.
This is leverage.
And if your state has a provider association—even if it’s small, even if it’s imperfect—it might be the connection that keeps you from feeling like you’re always a step behind.
You Don’t Need to Build Every Solution From Scratch
Tim shared multiple stories of leaders who avoided major crises because they built relationships early—before the pressure hit. That doesn’t just move your agency forward. It lifts the weight off your shoulders.
And no matter what state you’re in, the principle is the same:
Find the people who know the system.
Stay close to the conversations that shape your environment.
Don’t wait until you’re underwater to reach out.
Leaders who thrive are leaders who stay connected.
If You Want the Full Conversation…
The full interview with Tim goes deeper into what high-performing leaders do differently—from early wins during staffing crises to practical approaches to statewide advocacy.
You can listen to the episode here (Ep. 62) for the whole conversation.
But even without hearing the episode, you already know the next right move:
You don’t have to keep doing this alone.
If You Want One Simple Step to Strengthen Your Teams Today…
One of the biggest stressors for leaders—especially when you’re spread thin—is the quiet burnout that builds inside teams long before anyone names it.
To help with that, I created a simple free tool:
➡️ 7 Quiet Danger Signs Your Supervisors Are Burning Out Their Teams
It’s short, practical, and designed to help you catch issues before they grow into turnover, resentment, or team collapse.
If you’ve been trying to carry too much on your own, this is a good place to start.
You deserve more support—and more connection—than you realize.
