Being a leader, especially a good one, can be overwhelming even at the best of times. Trying to effect positive change can often feel like chasing the elusive “white rabbit;” the path never being quite clear. Whether navigating the wilds of Wonderland or the current healthcare landscape, it is essential to remain grounded in reality as perception can be misleading.
According to the Cheshire Cat, knowing which way to go “depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” Therefore, it is important for leaders to assess current state and identify what real opportunities for improvement lie before them. Access to performance metrics, comparative data, and forecasting tools can provide clarity and direction. By setting realistic goals to be achieved through small, consistent changes, healthcare leaders, like Alice, can be begin to realize that “very few things indeed are really impossible.”
Unfortunately, seeing the forest through the trees can be difficult. The following are a few quick tips that leaders can consider to promote authenticity and realism in their approach to management.
- Don’t be ruled by the clock
- Perception: “I’m late, I’m late! For a very important date! No time to say ‘hello, goodbye,’ I’m late, I’m late, I’m late!” It often feels as though there is not enough time in the day to accomplish all of the things with which we are tasked. Time can rule us to the point of abandoning niceties and operating in a constant state of stress over the “to-dos” because we feel as though we are always falling behind.
- Reality: As the Mad Hatter said, “If you knew Time as well as I do… you wouldn’t talk about wasting it.” Time can be properly managed and maximized. Consciously planning and controlling the effort spent on specific tasks can increase both proficiency and efficiency. Establish priorities, set realistic deadlines, and reward accomplishments – take control of time!
- Don’t focus on size
- Perception: Being a healthcare leader can be a disorienting experience, with responsibility constantly growing and shrinking in size depending on circumstance. Even the smallest tasks can feel enormous when you are “big” (in a leadership role). With the gravity of accountability weighing on every decision, size can be “rather curious.”
- Reality: Adaptability is the key to continued success. Whether a project is big or small, a flexible approach to problem-solving promotes individual “growth” and effective solutions to the tasks at hand. Aligning scope, workload, and expectations allows skill, not size, to dictate outcomes.
- Don’t spill the tea
- Perception: In some organizations, “it’s always tea time!” A lack of consistent communication can allow the rumor mill to take over, making it difficult for leaders to know when something is a real problem vs. when someone is just spilling the tea. Without visibility and open dialogue, “imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”
- Reality: “I don’t think…then you shouldn’t talk.” Sometimes it is not just about communicating, but how one communicates that makes the difference. An effective leader tailors their management approach to suit the needs and preferences of each individual. Focusing on the “truths” and understanding how to appropriately address questions/concerns with all team members creates a supportive and inclusive work environment where staff are empowered to perform at their best; leaving little room for fear mongering and gossip to derail progress.
“There is no going back to yesterday” and figuring out the way ahead, “that’s the great puzzle.” ALTIUS collaborates with healthcare leaders to enhance their knowledge through continued development; providing the proper tools to drive decision-making, enforce accountability, and above all else, realize potential.
To learn more about our services and make success a reality through a partnership with us, reach out directly at [email protected] or visit our website at www.altiushcg.com.