What do you think?
Rate this book
Heroes Work Here: An Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19
Discover how the nation’s largest senior living operator answered the call posed by the greatest public health crisis in one hundred years with courage and resilience.
CEO Cindy Baier shares a mesmerizing, behind-the-scenes look at how Brookdale Senior Living navigated the COVID-19 pandemic as she stood at the helm of a company with $3.5 billion of revenue in 2020. Woven together with her own personal accounts, Cindy highlights the broad symphony of voices and diverse cast of players who proved pivotal in helping save lives during the most challenging crisis the senior living industry has ever faced. The book is chock-full of heartfelt sentiment and granular insights that serve to redefine corporate leadership as the world enters a new normal. Heroes Work Here is the new gold standard for crisis management, a perfect primer for leaders wanting to stay one step ahead of any crisis, and a keen reminder of the wonders that result from a culture of caring.
CEO Cindy Baier shares a mesmerizing, behind-the-scenes look at how Brookdale Senior Living navigated the COVID-19 pandemic as she stood at the helm of a company with $3.5 billion of revenue in 2020. Woven together with her own personal accounts, Cindy highlights the broad symphony of voices and diverse cast of players who proved pivotal in helping save lives during the most challenging crisis the senior living industry has ever faced. The book is chock-full of heartfelt sentiment and granular insights that serve to redefine corporate leadership as the world enters a new normal. Heroes Work Here is the new gold standard for crisis management, a perfect primer for leaders wanting to stay one step ahead of any crisis, and a keen reminder of the wonders that result from a culture of caring.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2022
5 people are currently reading
295 people want to read
About the author
Lucinda M. Baier
1 bookLucinda M. “Cindy” Baier is the president and chief executive officer of Brookdale Senior Living, one of Fortune magazine’s top 200 largest publicly listed employers in the United States in 2020. Cindy helped to lead Brookdale through the COVID-19 pandemic by aligning the company with its North Star: the health and well-being of its residents, patients, and associates. Since 2018, Cindy also guided Brookdale’s success in approaching gender parity on its board and executive leadership team. Prior to joining Brookdale, Cindy served as a board member and C-suite executive for a number of public and private companies and organizations. Cindy is a certified public accountant and a graduate of Illinois State University, with both bachelor and master of science degrees in accounting.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 30, 2022
Lucinda Baier opens Heros Work Here by providing readers with brief insight into how she dealt with the shock of her parents divorce as a teenager and how that influenced how she handled the magnitude of the global pandemic Covid-19. Baier tells of how her hometown of Brookdale changed and was impacted.
Baier being the CEO of Brookdale Senior Living share how management and staff remained educated and informed as Covid-19 changed the livelihood immediately. Baier highlights how increasing the preparedness of her staff and creating an operating strategy made the process of adapting to the changes Covid-19 presented. Establishing emergency responses and even conducting training for residents at Brookdale Senior Living to stay connected with loved ones during the pandemic. The process included workshops where resident learned to use iPads and programs such as FaceTime, Skype and Zoom.
Heros Work Here gives readers an inside and being the scenes perspective of how Brookdale Senior Living management and frontline staff provided hope. The book presents an opportunity for organizations to use Baiers experience as a guide to mitigate Covid-19 responses should we enter similar lockdowns in the future. The lessons learned section at the end of the chapter is a great addition as it reveals that thought and consideration was emphasized to achieve the desired goals.
Baier gives sound leadership advice such as “leaders must dedicate themselves to honing their skills as independent thinkers and capable surveyors of threats and opportunities that can impact a company’s growth.”
This and other advice make this book stand out from others written about Covid-19. It is not just a book written about the path and trajectory of her Covid-19 experience. The book shares insight on how to maintain strategic focus and take advantage of opportunities. The greatest aspect of the book is the pictures of staff and residents that appeared at the end of the book.
I would recommend this book to persons in healthcare management, those employed in assisted living facilities and those that care for others as it provides immense insight into how to manage crisis.
Baier being the CEO of Brookdale Senior Living share how management and staff remained educated and informed as Covid-19 changed the livelihood immediately. Baier highlights how increasing the preparedness of her staff and creating an operating strategy made the process of adapting to the changes Covid-19 presented. Establishing emergency responses and even conducting training for residents at Brookdale Senior Living to stay connected with loved ones during the pandemic. The process included workshops where resident learned to use iPads and programs such as FaceTime, Skype and Zoom.
Heros Work Here gives readers an inside and being the scenes perspective of how Brookdale Senior Living management and frontline staff provided hope. The book presents an opportunity for organizations to use Baiers experience as a guide to mitigate Covid-19 responses should we enter similar lockdowns in the future. The lessons learned section at the end of the chapter is a great addition as it reveals that thought and consideration was emphasized to achieve the desired goals.
Baier gives sound leadership advice such as “leaders must dedicate themselves to honing their skills as independent thinkers and capable surveyors of threats and opportunities that can impact a company’s growth.”
This and other advice make this book stand out from others written about Covid-19. It is not just a book written about the path and trajectory of her Covid-19 experience. The book shares insight on how to maintain strategic focus and take advantage of opportunities. The greatest aspect of the book is the pictures of staff and residents that appeared at the end of the book.
I would recommend this book to persons in healthcare management, those employed in assisted living facilities and those that care for others as it provides immense insight into how to manage crisis.
June 28, 2022
Heroes Work Here: An Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience and Hope from the Front lines of COVID-19 is the testimony from the author, Lucinda M. Baier, the CEO of a major senior living company. She tells the story of how she dealt with the deadly consequences that the virus dragged in the entire world. She narrates the story by talking about her childhood: how she lived on a farm and had to grow really fast since her mom's accident, and taking it to the present: how her childhood made her the person, and CEO, she is today.
I thought the book was written with sweat and tears, giving full honesty on her personal experience with COVID and how she dealt with Brookdale Senior Living, the place she is Chief in. It also gives a full insight on how, when the atmosphere changes, to adapt to the new circumstances and give an effective management due to that. The book was absolutely a story of resilience and, due to the fact that we all have a personal experience with the COVID-19 virus, I think that everyone will find this book heart-whelming and impactful to their lives.
I thought the book was written with sweat and tears, giving full honesty on her personal experience with COVID and how she dealt with Brookdale Senior Living, the place she is Chief in. It also gives a full insight on how, when the atmosphere changes, to adapt to the new circumstances and give an effective management due to that. The book was absolutely a story of resilience and, due to the fact that we all have a personal experience with the COVID-19 virus, I think that everyone will find this book heart-whelming and impactful to their lives.
June 30, 2022
Heroes Work Here by Lucinda M. Baier is a true account of courage, standing resilient in the face of adversity of Covid-19. The author is the CEO of Brookdale Senior Living, and she recounts how they navigated the crisis of Covid-19 and its aftermath successfully. This behind-the-scenes story is full of narrative of the courageous people and their roles in saving lives. Excellent leadership combined with dedicated team not only overcame many hurdles, but also, they did it with compassion and care.
I felt an array of emotions while reading this heartfelt account. Cindy is truly an example of how an effective leadership helps avert crisis and disaster. I am amazed at how much she accomplished and stood for all the people under her care. She and her team are an inspiration, and I am glad I picked up this inspiring read. Heros truly live among us, and lend a helping hand when needed. This is a must read for everyone as we are still struggling from Covid -19 and there's so much to aspire from this masterful account.
I felt an array of emotions while reading this heartfelt account. Cindy is truly an example of how an effective leadership helps avert crisis and disaster. I am amazed at how much she accomplished and stood for all the people under her care. She and her team are an inspiration, and I am glad I picked up this inspiring read. Heros truly live among us, and lend a helping hand when needed. This is a must read for everyone as we are still struggling from Covid -19 and there's so much to aspire from this masterful account.
June 27, 2022
COVID-19 pandemic has brought a tough unprecedented time in our lives. It had put the world into a pandemic and is still shocking the world.
The book is an image of that unprecedented scenario. CEO Cindy Baier shares a mesmerizing, behind-the-scenes look at how Brookdale Senior Living navigated the COVID-19 pandemic as she stood at the helm of a company with $3.5 billion of revenue in 2020. The book is primarily about medical workers- the true heroes of the time.
The author nicely put forward to the readers in a very simple and easy-to-understand language. Crisis management is a diverse cast of players who proved pivotal in helping save lives during the most challenging crisis. The book is chock-full of heartfelt sentiment and insights that serve to redefine corporate leadership. In a true sense, it is an Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience, and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19.
The book is an image of that unprecedented scenario. CEO Cindy Baier shares a mesmerizing, behind-the-scenes look at how Brookdale Senior Living navigated the COVID-19 pandemic as she stood at the helm of a company with $3.5 billion of revenue in 2020. The book is primarily about medical workers- the true heroes of the time.
The author nicely put forward to the readers in a very simple and easy-to-understand language. Crisis management is a diverse cast of players who proved pivotal in helping save lives during the most challenging crisis. The book is chock-full of heartfelt sentiment and insights that serve to redefine corporate leadership. In a true sense, it is an Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience, and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19.
June 29, 2022
I feel as though the pandemic of 2020 showed a variety of the different facets of human nature, and as such, I was especially interested in the experiences of medical staff. In Heroes Work Here: An Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19 by Lucinda M. Baier creates a beautiful tribute to the hardworking medical staff at the frontlines of the pandemic.
I enjoyed the conversational aspect of the book and especially the way she wove in stories of her own life and background.
Baier is a great storyteller and she described difficult events in a positive and uplifting manner, really doing justice to the topic at hand.
Overall, a great read; Heroes Work Here is a lovely way to recognize and remember the sacrifices of so many during the pandemic.
June 30, 2022
Lucinda M. “Cindy” Baier is the president and chief executive officer of Brookdale Senior Living and she shares her own personal experience and exposes what went and goes behind the scene during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The storyline is emotional and touching at the same time and proves that the culture of caring out for others, surfing a crisis and thriving while in the middle of a global crisis is possible. The narrative leaves a positive vibe about life and human beings.
After reading these pages, I understood the author wrote this book with her heart in her hand. I am not an expert in this field and I do not work in it, but Heroes Work Here is one of those books that teach everyone how to grow more serene and be resilient.
The storyline is emotional and touching at the same time and proves that the culture of caring out for others, surfing a crisis and thriving while in the middle of a global crisis is possible. The narrative leaves a positive vibe about life and human beings.
After reading these pages, I understood the author wrote this book with her heart in her hand. I am not an expert in this field and I do not work in it, but Heroes Work Here is one of those books that teach everyone how to grow more serene and be resilient.
June 30, 2022
“Heroes Work Here” is a helpful manual that gives examples of crisis management. Its author, Cindy Baier, shares her fascinating experience working in a multimillionaire company as a senior living operator and having to face the pandemic which challenged the totality of her work and lifestyle. When the world changes overnight, it is difficult for people to adjust to the new circumstances, even more so if they are leaders in a big company and need to adapt their strategies, actions and dedication towards their work.
Cindy seems to have dealt with this issue perfectly and here, she shares the process and results of her wonderful work. I found this book very easy to follow and I liked the fact that its teaching can be adapted to any crisis a company could go through.
Cindy seems to have dealt with this issue perfectly and here, she shares the process and results of her wonderful work. I found this book very easy to follow and I liked the fact that its teaching can be adapted to any crisis a company could go through.
July 2, 2022
essential recognition
This book is designed for readers who are interested in an up-close look at the effects that the pandemic had on the class of working people who were unable to take time away or work from the safety of their homes. While the world was suffering immeasurable loss, these fearless warriors battled the risk of exposure on a daily basis. The medical workers who handled the crisis management were outstandingly brave, and this book captures the behind the scenes look at what all that entailed for those people and their families. As things are starting to turn around now and we are all starting to create our own new sense of normal, it's important to humble ourselves with stories such as this one.
This book is designed for readers who are interested in an up-close look at the effects that the pandemic had on the class of working people who were unable to take time away or work from the safety of their homes. While the world was suffering immeasurable loss, these fearless warriors battled the risk of exposure on a daily basis. The medical workers who handled the crisis management were outstandingly brave, and this book captures the behind the scenes look at what all that entailed for those people and their families. As things are starting to turn around now and we are all starting to create our own new sense of normal, it's important to humble ourselves with stories such as this one.
June 28, 2022
Heroes Work Here by author Lucinda M. Baier is about how Brookdale Senior Living (the nation’s largest senior living operator) navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and it is not only a book about a real example of crisis management, but also a story of resilience and hope.
This emotional and inspiring reading provides insight of real corporate leadership, in words of the CEO, Cindy Baier. This sort of memoir surpassed my expectations, evoking emotions and covering topics that mainstream media, news outlets, and government have avoided, ignored, and neglected to focus on. This is a truly interesting point of view, aimed for a business target but also for all kinds of readers.
This emotional and inspiring reading provides insight of real corporate leadership, in words of the CEO, Cindy Baier. This sort of memoir surpassed my expectations, evoking emotions and covering topics that mainstream media, news outlets, and government have avoided, ignored, and neglected to focus on. This is a truly interesting point of view, aimed for a business target but also for all kinds of readers.
June 29, 2022
A book to remember
“Heroes Work Here: An Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19” is a reader that should stay in our bookshelf and our hearts. The reader has just come out of the oven since it deals with the ups and downs humanity went through when the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Lucinda M. Baier, the author of this book, mixes together adulthood, businesses and her own personal experiences when writing this reader. Yes, it is a book about deep topics, and some of them are difficult to swallow, especially if feelings are involved. For this reason, I believe that readers should take their time to go through these pages.
Three stars for this one!
“Heroes Work Here: An Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19” is a reader that should stay in our bookshelf and our hearts. The reader has just come out of the oven since it deals with the ups and downs humanity went through when the COVID-19 pandemic started.
Lucinda M. Baier, the author of this book, mixes together adulthood, businesses and her own personal experiences when writing this reader. Yes, it is a book about deep topics, and some of them are difficult to swallow, especially if feelings are involved. For this reason, I believe that readers should take their time to go through these pages.
Three stars for this one!
June 30, 2022
“Heroes Work Here” is a pretty interesting book that aroused many emotions in me, mainly due to the moment of time we are in. Even though nowadays there are far fewer Covid 19 cases, it’s important to remember that this pandemic hit the whole world very hard during two years and most important, it’s compulsory to have in mind all the people who helped others without receiving anything in return.
I really liked the chapters’ organization and the clarity of the content. I was never bored reading this book and I felt that every single detail was relevant to the plot.
I strongly believe that this is a great timely book that everyone should read.
I really liked the chapters’ organization and the clarity of the content. I was never bored reading this book and I felt that every single detail was relevant to the plot.
I strongly believe that this is a great timely book that everyone should read.
June 30, 2022
Pandemic stories.
At times I think of the covid 19 pandemic and it seems unreal to me, like a horror movie, but it was and remains real. Lucinda Baier is the author of Heroes Work Here, a book in which she recounts her own experiences as CEO of Brookdale Senior Living and how the company responded to its partners during this terrifying time.
The book travels through different points from crisis management to the dedication and heroism with which the doctors performed. Although this book partly tells a personal story, I think it describes many feelings and hard situations that we all went and go through. In my opinion, it was written with sincerity and emotion. It is worth reading!
At times I think of the covid 19 pandemic and it seems unreal to me, like a horror movie, but it was and remains real. Lucinda Baier is the author of Heroes Work Here, a book in which she recounts her own experiences as CEO of Brookdale Senior Living and how the company responded to its partners during this terrifying time.
The book travels through different points from crisis management to the dedication and heroism with which the doctors performed. Although this book partly tells a personal story, I think it describes many feelings and hard situations that we all went and go through. In my opinion, it was written with sincerity and emotion. It is worth reading!
July 1, 2022
While researching books about the pandemic, I came across this one and what I liked the most was that, for what I could tell, seniors were involved in it. Reading books about how certain people survived and managed the Covid pandemic is very interesting to me. Knowing how people react to crises and how the act in consecuence really intrigues me.
One of the age groups that were really hit by it were the elderly. In this book, readers will have an insight on how author Lucinda M. Bayer, President and chief executive officer of Brookdale Senior Living, managed all the hiccups and chose caring over everything.
One of the age groups that were really hit by it were the elderly. In this book, readers will have an insight on how author Lucinda M. Bayer, President and chief executive officer of Brookdale Senior Living, managed all the hiccups and chose caring over everything.
June 30, 2022
unique voice
Heroes Work Here: An Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19 by Lucinda C. Baier is one of stories I’ve been waiting to hear, which is a healthcare narrative of the struggle with COVID-19. This is a CEO perspective, which is a little different than I was expecting to hear, but the voice in this book and all the voices it represents are caring ones, who were fighting for the lives of seniors and were struggling with being the voices preventing patients and staff from seeing their families. Brookdale Senior Living’s response was an impressive one, and this was an interesting side of the healthcare industry’s struggle to hear.
Heroes Work Here: An Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19 by Lucinda C. Baier is one of stories I’ve been waiting to hear, which is a healthcare narrative of the struggle with COVID-19. This is a CEO perspective, which is a little different than I was expecting to hear, but the voice in this book and all the voices it represents are caring ones, who were fighting for the lives of seniors and were struggling with being the voices preventing patients and staff from seeing their families. Brookdale Senior Living’s response was an impressive one, and this was an interesting side of the healthcare industry’s struggle to hear.
July 4, 2022
Front line stories
Cindy is the CEO of Brookshire living facilities, the largest in our country and was at the front and center of the covid outbreak. In this book Cindy details her response, how others stepped up and picked up slack, the courage to keep going, peoples incredible acts of kindness and compassion. The stories also include those from the unfortunate ones who did not make it, the heartbreaking tales of their lives and their families grief. As such,this is an important book to read as I haven't yet seen one about this time that speaks with such candor.
Cindy is the CEO of Brookshire living facilities, the largest in our country and was at the front and center of the covid outbreak. In this book Cindy details her response, how others stepped up and picked up slack, the courage to keep going, peoples incredible acts of kindness and compassion. The stories also include those from the unfortunate ones who did not make it, the heartbreaking tales of their lives and their families grief. As such,this is an important book to read as I haven't yet seen one about this time that speaks with such candor.
July 22, 2022
A good book
Lucinda M. Baier is the great author behind this insightful reading. “Heroes Work Here: An Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19” is a book that shows the behind the scenes, which I believe is interesting.
The book is clear, though a bit long. The narrative is personal and touching. Moreover, the story is really rich; there’s something good in every turn of the page. I would recommend reading this book to have a different look at things.
Lucinda M. Baier is the great author behind this insightful reading. “Heroes Work Here: An Extraordinary Story of Courage, Resilience and Hope from the Frontlines of COVID-19” is a book that shows the behind the scenes, which I believe is interesting.
The book is clear, though a bit long. The narrative is personal and touching. Moreover, the story is really rich; there’s something good in every turn of the page. I would recommend reading this book to have a different look at things.
July 21, 2023
My rating is based om how the average reader might react. For someone with an interest in Senior Assisted Living facilities, or simply how any organization might best react to a situation like the Covid 19 pandemic, I'd rate it higher-a 4 star.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews