Good morning.  Today’s article draws inspiration from a thought-provoking LinkedIn post by Ryan Rouse. His message challenges a conventional notion: “Your best employee isn’t the one who works the longest hours. It’s the one who says ‘This isn’t working’… And finds a better way.”

Redefining Employee Value

In the context of healthcare leadership, the traditional measure of employee value has often been equated with long work hours and tireless dedication. However, this perception is shifting. True value often emerges from those who dare to challenge the status quo and introduce innovative solutions.

Innovation Over Hours

Identify a process + Create a way to improve it = High Value

A study in the “Journal of Nursing Management” supports this perspective, highlighting that innovative work behavior significantly contributes to the quality of patient care and operational efficiency. This finding underscores the importance of fostering a culture where staff feel empowered to voice concerns and suggest improvements.

Encouraging Constructive Feedback

Leaders play a crucial role in creating an environment where employees feel comfortable voicing their concerns. A Harvard Business Review article emphasizes the significance of leaders encouraging employees to speak up and share ideas, leading to potential improvements in healthcare services.  It all starts with trust.

“According to a study in Harvard Business Review, people at high-trust companies report 74% less stress, 106% more energy at work, 50% higher productivity, 13% fewer sick days, 76% more engagement, 29% more satisfaction with their lives, and 40% less burnout than people at low-trust companies.”  Link to article

Actionable Takeaways:

1. Set The Expectation: Consistently ask your teams for input and acknowledge that it’s all of your obligations to call out what isn’t working AND propose a solution.  They have to go hand-in-hand otherwise it’s just complaining.

2. Foster Open Communication: Encourage staff to share their insights and ideas for improvement. Regular team meetings can be an effective platform for this exchange. 

Thank the team member who has the courage to point out a process, system, or function that isn’t working.  Challenge them to make it better and when they do, celebrate it publically.  If their idea doesn’t lead to improvement, celebrate them even more for having the courage to try.

3. Pick a measurement: When trying to improve upon a process or system, pick one or two goals to measure whether or not the change provides the results you think it might.

4. Implement Feedback Mechanisms: Establish clear channels for staff to share their concerns and suggestions, ensuring that these inputs are valued and considered.

In healthcare leadership, prioritizing innovative thinking and problem-solving over long hours can significantly enhance both resident care and operational efficiency. By fostering a culture of open communication and recognizing innovative contributions, leaders can drive meaningful improvements.

Stay inspired and keep leading with innovation!