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Leaders may be responsible for building a culture, but that does not abdicate all other participants from responsibility. Everyone has a part. Most things or situations are what you make them (mindset) or an amalgamation of at least your contribution to it. Organizations can be complicated, and you must either find one or create one where your values fit and you feel like you are part of a high performing team.

We are able to do our best work when we are in flow: where we lose track of time and space. It is where you are so immersed in what you are doing a sense of peace and joy is created—all at the same time. Healthcare was founded as a healing profession and is truly meaningful work; it should bring a sense of peace, joy, and accomplishment when helping others. Healthcare is a profession where meaningful work can be reinforced every day. You can read more about flow from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/flow.

It seems the work environment(s) in healthcare and the resulting organizational culture are anything but healing at present in the aftermath of the global COVID-19 pandemic. Most of the work environments are still filled with chaos and stress due to a number of factors. Healthcare providers who have persevered are still feeling the stress. We must find ways to bring joy back into our work environments—as the enthusiastic healers we are.

image Practice Pearl

Walk the talk. People observe others and choose how to behave based on what is acceptable in the culture.

  • Action Step: Introspectively consider why you behave the way you do at work.

    • Are you being negative? If so, why?

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    • Are you being a positive team player? If not, why?

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    • Are you supportive of new leadership initiatives? Why or why not?

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    • If you are not supportive, what could you do differently?

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    • What kinds of changes could you make that would help you have a better experience at work each day?

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    • Remember, you cannot control other people, only your response to them. Think about if there are people with whom you need to control your responses. What might you do differently?

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Rewards and recognition must be consistent with organizational values. Check out this handy toolkit funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ): https://smart.osu.edu/the-toolkit/rewards-and-recognition/

  • Action Step: Think about the following:

    • Do you value what your organization considers appropriate recognition of employees? If so, what do you like about it?

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    • If not, what could be done differently?

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    • Do you value what your organization considers appropriate recognition for your role/you?

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    • If not, what recognition would be most important to you?

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Become passionate about your work. Enthusiasm is contagious. People like to be around positive people and a part of success. You can download a ...

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