Jacob Kupietzky is President of HealthCare Transformation, a company dedicated to providing hospitals with experienced interim executives.
Healthcare is a unique industry in that professionals are tasked with balancing clinical excellence, empathy and the human element of caregiving—all while working in high-pressure environments. In such a demanding, performance-based setting, being resilient is very important.
Building resilient teams goes beyond helping those you lead power through difficult times or overcome burnout; I believe we also need to focus on creating work settings that are centralized around support and empowerment, regardless of the unique challenges daily faced on the job. Based on my own experience working with teams in the healthcare field, here are six strategies healthcare leaders can use to foster resilience while maintaining the empathy that is so vital in this field.
1. Foster open communication and feedback.
Creating a culture of transparency can help set the standard for sharing challenges, ideas and concerns. Consider creating regular feedback loops—not just during annual reviews—to give team members the opportunity to express their needs and receive constructive guidance.
Tip: Set up regular check-ins with your entire team and one-on-one meetings with each individual. In my experience, this mix offers the opportunity for collective conversation and encourages openness from those who may be hesitant to speak up.
2. Prioritize employee well-being.
In healthcare, we’re constantly focused on the health of our patients; but too often, we forget to prioritize our own. It’s easy to fall into the mindset of pushing through exhaustion, but the result can be detrimental to your mental and physical health, and to quality patient care. For these reasons, prioritize the holistic well-being of your teams. This might include promoting mental health resources, ensuring manageable workloads, and encouraging breaks and time off.
Tip: Practice what you preach. I’ve found that if you use your paid vacation time, practice healthy habits and care for your mental health, it’s more likely that your people will, too.
3. Establish clear goals and standards.
Clarity in expectations can help prevent miscommunication and stress, especially in a fast-paced setting like healthcare. I have found that when employees know exactly what is expected of them and have a clear understanding of the organization’s goals and their role in achieving them, they’re typically better equipped to manage their time and efforts efficiently. This can contribute to a sense of purpose and direction and help team members overcome inevitable hurdles and times of ambiguity.
Tip: Regularly revisit goals with the team to ensure their collective alignment and buy-in.
4. Build trust and foster dependability.
A resilient team is one where members trust each other. Seek to create an environment where collaboration and interdependence are encouraged, and where team members feel comfortable leaning on each other when necessary. In my experience, it’s equally important for healthcare professionals to trust that their work will be managed in their absence. Team members should feel confident that they can take time off without worrying that their responsibilities will be left unattended.
Tip: Encourage a “community over competition” mindset. Promote cross-training within teams so members are comfortable stepping into different roles when necessary, and ensure that you and your team recognize asking for help and support as a critical strength.
5. Encourage empathy.
In healthcare, empathy is at the heart of everything we do. It’s what drives us to provide the best care to patients. However, we as leaders also need to recognize the importance of extending that empathy to our teams. When you feel like your peers have your back, it can make for a more cohesive, understanding and resilient team.
Tip: Lead by example. Practice empathy not just with patients, but with your staff—and yourself—as well. Acknowledging the challenges you all face on a daily basis and offering support can go a long way in fostering resilience.
6. Inspire confidence and autonomy.
While guided leadership is necessary, overseeing every decision can stifle creativity, dampen morale and minimize resiliency. In an industry where quick thinking and adaptability are necessary skills, allow your team to think through challenges independently. Trusting your people to figure things out can result in team members who take initiative and are more capable.
Tip: Resist the urge to micromanage. Instead, provide guidance and let your team know what you expect from them, but give them the appropriate freedom to find their own solutions.
Conclusion
Building resilience shouldn’t (and typically doesn’t) come from forcing teams to power through tough times; rather, it should come from creating environments where they are supported, heard and empowered to thrive. In an industry like healthcare, where challenges and unforeseen circumstances regularly arise, resilience can be the north star that helps keep your team focused, engaged and empowered.
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