[co-authors: Dr. William Maples, Jennifer Krippner]
During this time of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear, it is important that we help our team members achieve peak performance in our daily work. The importance of providing information that will help our colleagues achieve their best and build on each individual’s strengths is critical. How we recover and restore health to healthcare is vital and we all need tools to help us move forward. Our partners at the Institute for Healthcare Excellence have provided us with tips on specific skills to tap into during these uncertain times.
A few tools to keep you moving forward:
- Leading with Feed-Forward – The most impactful approach to help a team member achieve their best is calling out in the moment when they are doing things that achieve the desired outcomes—“THAT-YES THAT”. By being present and aware of these moments, you help your team members learn and expand their knowledge. On the contrary, calling out moments when team members have made a misstep or error (which we are quite good at) will actually stifle learning and performance. As we navigate the COVID-19 challenge, GET OFF THE BANDWAGON and GET ON THE BUS by calling out “THAT-YES THAT” moments in small doses frequently. Change the way you provide information for your colleagues from Feedback to FEED-FORWARD!
- Checking In– How can practicing the skill of “Check-In” help us in this challenging time? Connecting well with those we spend time with at work is crucial. This allows us to recognize emotions and react in a manner that is kind and helpful. A simple moment to check-in involves asking co-workers, “Is there anything that might keep you from being totally present for the work at hand today?” This can be done with groups as small as two or with larger teams. The goal is not to solve problems, but to allow each individual and team to focus on the present and the crucial tasks at hand. A brief moment to focus can improve teamwork, improve safety, and prevent errors.
- Presence– Being present in the moment, taking time to truly center our attention helps us to nurture a culture focused on human connections. Now more than ever is the time when our patients and families need a culture that is rooted in teamwork, trust, and compassion, and where our care providers are maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Tapping into the skill of Presence can be a true gift to yourself and to those you serve.
