Working in a health care facility

Imagine that you work in a health care facility and your boss has just stopped by your office and says the following:

Hi, I just have a couple of minutes - please forgive me for stopping in without advanced notice. One of the results of a recent employee survey at Lakeland Clinic indicates we have some issues to address. The data show 75% of the employees have concerns about at least one of the following: diversity issues, workplace incivility, and poor work life balance.
Senior leadership has asked me how I plan to respond, and my first inclination is to put you in charge of assembling a team to address one of the issues. You have demonstrated effective organizational and communication on other projects and I think you will be a great asset as we move forward.
I have to run right now, but I’ll send you an email with more information before I leave today. See you later!

Subsequent Email
Thanks for talking with me this morning. I just want you to know that this is really a great opportunity for you. I know you have been interested in taking steps to becoming a leader in this organization and now it’s time to realize your potential.
As you know we opened the Lakeland Medical Clinic to serve area residents who were unable or unwilling to use the services offered at the main hospital. The first two months of operation saw strong patient volume. Since then, the numbers have dropped off dramatically. This prompted leadership to start asking some questions, which lead to the internal survey that I mentioned yesterday.
I just met with leadership and they determined that the priority right now is the diversity issue because we have the opportunity to improve outcomes for both employees and the community.

This is part of an email I got from the clinic director last week:
after careful examination of all aspects of the organization and talking with some neighborhood leaders we have concluded that residents in the community do not feel comfortable coming to the clinic. It seems the staff are lacking the ability to develop a trusting relationship with the residents primarily because they do not understand the cultural values and norms. The neighborhood residents, which you know are predominantly Haitian, often feel their beliefs, values, and health practices are not understood. 1 When staff members were hired, we only considered their past work experiences, education and potential. We may have failed to fully consider their ability to work with diverse populations.“
Hopefully, the information gives you a better understanding of the issues to be addressed. Time to get started as things need to move quickly.
I want you to assemble a committee to clearly define the problem and ultimately provide
I want you to assemble a committee to clearly define the problem and ultimately provide guidance on solutions. Before introducing you to the clinic director and executive team, I want to review your approach specific to leadership style and collaboration.
I want two things from you in a written document. The first part is just for me, but the second part I intend to share with the clinic director. First, identify and describe a leader you would choose to lead a project like this and explain why. It can be anyone that is qualified, even someone famous. Your choice will tell me a lot about your leadership approach and priorities.
Next, select one of the characteristics that make them successful and compare it against your leadership skills.
The second item is related to leading and fostering teamwork and collaboration among a group of interdisciplinary professionals. We are looking for 4–6 members to serve on a committee who will be considering the diversity issue and ultimately making a recommendation on how to address it.

I want you to:
• Describe your role and approach to leading the group. How will you lead and communicate? Will you be an authoritative, collaborative, democratic, servant, or transformational type of leader? Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of your approach in the context of this project.
• Describe how you would facilitate collaboration to maximize team effectiveness. You might consider:
o Communication technologies.
o Practices (accountability, decision making, delegating).
o Techniques for sharing information and ideas.
o Any others ideas you might have.

Full Answer Section

       
    • However, I acknowledge that I can further develop my ability to:
      • Express Vulnerability: I can be more open about my own uncertainties and challenges, fostering a culture of authenticity.
      • Cultivate Empathy: I can deepen my understanding of others' experiences by actively seeking out diverse perspectives and practicing empathy.
      • I can also work on, being more comfortable with difficult conversations.

Part 2: Leading and Fostering Teamwork and Collaboration

  • My Role and Approach:
    • My leadership style will be primarily collaborative and transformational.
      • Collaborative: I will facilitate a team-centered approach, valuing input from all members and promoting shared decision-making.
      • Transformational: I will inspire and motivate the team to embrace change, fostering a shared vision of a culturally competent clinic.
    • Communication:
      • I will prioritize clear, transparent, and respectful communication.
      • I will utilize active listening, open dialogue, and feedback mechanisms to ensure all team members feel heard and valued.
      • I will be sure to be culturally sensitive in all communication.
    • Strengths:
      • Collaborative leadership fosters buy-in and ownership among team members.
      • Transformational leadership inspires creativity and innovation.
      • My ability to listen, and communicate will allow for a free flow of information.
    • Weaknesses:
      • Collaborative decision-making can be time-consuming.
      • Transformational leadership requires strong communication skills and emotional intelligence.
      • I will have to be careful that collaboration does not turn into group think.
  • Facilitating Collaboration:
    • Team Composition:
      • The committee will comprise 4–6 interdisciplinary professionals, including:
        • A community health worker with experience serving the Haitian community.
        • A staff member from the clinic with strong communication skills.
        • A representative from the clinic's administration.
        • A mental health professional, with transcultural experience.
        • A member of the Haitian community.
    • Communication Technologies:
      • Utilize a secure online platform (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Slack) for document sharing, communication, and project management.
      • Conduct regular virtual and in-person meetings to facilitate discussion and collaboration.
      • Create a shared cloud based drive, to share documents.
    • Practices:
      • Accountability: Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and timelines for each team member.
      • Decision-Making: Employ a consensus-based decision-making process, ensuring all voices are heard.
      • Delegating: Delegate tasks based on team members' strengths and expertise.
    • Techniques for Sharing Information and Ideas:
      • Brainstorming sessions to generate diverse perspectives.
      • "World Café" or "Open Space" methodologies to facilitate open dialogue.
      • Utilize visual aids and storytelling to convey complex information.
      • Create a safe space for all team members to express their ideas.
    • Additional Ideas:
      • Implement cultural competency training for all clinic staff.
      • Establish a community advisory board to provide ongoing feedback and guidance.
      • Develop culturally sensitive patient education materials.
      • Create a mentor program, pairing clinic staff with members of the Haitian community.
      • Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of implemented solutions.

By adopting a collaborative and transformational leadership approach, and implementing these collaboration strategies, the team can effectively address the diversity issue at Lakeland Clinic, fostering a more inclusive and culturally competent healthcare environment.

Sample Answer

     

Written Document: Leadership and Collaboration Plan

Part 1: Leadership Style and Self-Assessment

  • Chosen Leader: Brené Brown
    • Brené Brown is a researcher, storyteller, and author known for her work on vulnerability, courage, empathy, and shame. Her leadership style is rooted in authentic connection, fostering a culture of trust and psychological safety.
    • Why Brené Brown?
      • Her emphasis on vulnerability and empathy is crucial for addressing sensitive diversity issues. Building trust and creating a safe space for open dialogue is essential for understanding and resolving cultural misunderstandings.
      • Her research on courage and wholehearted leadership aligns with the need to take bold steps in transforming the clinic's culture.
      • Her communication style is relatable and accessible, which is vital for engaging diverse stakeholders.
  • Comparison: Empathy and My Leadership Skills
    • Brené Brown's strength in empathy is a characteristic I strive to emulate. I recognize that genuine understanding and compassion are essential for effective leadership, especially in a healthcare setting serving a diverse population.
    • My current leadership skills include:
      • Active Listening: I prioritize listening to understand rather than just to respond.
      • Open Communication: I encourage open dialogue and create a safe space for team members to share their perspectives.
      • Team Building: I value team cohesion and work to build strong relationships among team members.