Cory Ingram, MD, MS, FAAHPM
Mayo Clinic
I had the good fortune of participating in Dr. Stephen Beeson’s Ignite workshop at this years annual assembly meeting. The first of a series of leadership workshops offered in sequence from AAHPM. Dr. Beeson shared that the foundation to leadership is an ability to create a common ground. A well understood common ground. This is achieved through leadership skill that include listening, conflict resolution, relationship building, effective communication, giving and receiving or better yet inviting feedback. Lastly, it is about having the right mindset.
The right mindset is one of two cognitive stances. Either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. The fixed mindset responds to a challenge with and inability to see a solution. The person with a growth mindset sees opportunity in a challenge. In creating and achieving common ground it is important to foster a growth mindset and a commitment to the common ground and not necessarily anyone person, but rather the team and the common ground. The common ground is best conveyed through story. A patient story that allows the common ground to be felt. Common ground building flows from a common vision of what is hoped to be achieved. In building a common ground culture change will happen slowly 4-6 people at a time.
Dr. Beeson suggested the use of huddles, debriefs, and rules of engagement to foster effective communication and overcome challenges. The huddles and debriefs must include the common ground. Ascribing to the motto: “All of us is better than one of us” allows for talent to be tapped from all the team members. Fostering curiosity from the team members allows for group reflection to ensure nothing is being missed and that the group is on the right track. Trust among team members is paramount. Keep in mind it takes two to create trust and one to break that trust. Elite teams have a clear mission and identity and mission trumps identity. Their roles are clear and communication effective. Coaching and training are both available on the team and members receive recognition of great work.
How do you recognize success? Contagion is likely the sign of success and is defined at the lateral movement of the common ground. It will spread on it’s own.
I wish I could attend the next leadership forum this fall and would encourage attendance of this leadership workshop series from AAHPM. Thanks AAHPM for offering such a valuable resource for professional development.
AAHPM Leadership Forum: Ascend
AAHPM Ascend is a new intensive two-day program included in AAHPM’s comprehensive new Leadership Forum
premiering September 14–16, 2014, in Oak Brook, IL. This program has limited capacity and will be offered in
subsequent years.