The Center For Senior Health has done it again. Their team development score has surpassed all others. This, while integrating a new director, welcoming new staff and saying goodbye to others, adding new clinicans, working through major reorganizational efforts and being involved in P2! A great deal of the credit goes to Erin Baumgart, Nurse Practitioner, who makes it her business to pay attention to the dynamics in this fine clinic. At the recent Guidance Team meeting, I asked the members what contributed to the success of this team. This is what they told me:
- Communication is open and people can say what they think and be heard. Also, they can talk about their feelings. Everybody is allowed to share their feelings and is validated for having them. Communication is open and honest. People feel secure, knowing their jobs aren’t threatened if they make a mistake, "we just try and fix it". It’s the job that’s the issue, not the person. Erin has a basic belief (modeled by her mother) in trusting in the good of a person. Also, modeling the way, rather than telling people the way to behave.
- Denise Fischer contributes by supporting Matt Groenig (Director of the Clinic). She is responsible for recruitment and selecting finalists for positions. She take the culture of CSH into consideration when choosing candidates.
- Kathy Higgerson, front office team-lead, helps by keeping people aware that they are begin heard and something is being done about their requests. Even if the process is slow – she keeps people abreast of progress.
- Matt Groenig helps by doing the same thing. He responds quickly to staff’s need to hear information from him, or for him to listen to them.
- There are no white elephants among the group.
Our former process facilitator, Terry Wagner has contributed by just being herself and building relationships while working on P2 projects in the clinics. Bringing chocolate was a big plus. Terry also tried to just "be present" with the with staff and connecting on a person-to-person level.
Once again,, it just isn't rocket science. Paying attention to relationship is the key to good teamwork.
