As a healthcare leader, the internal elements of the organization are very important. You need a team of employees that are dedicated, that feel they serve a purpose, and most of whom work as a unit. There can be plenty of dynamics that are involved when you bring a group of individuals together.
The fact that you could have different people working at various times due to days off and shifts overlapping means that mix of people can really change from one day to the next. Using these 6 tips, you can improve team building and that means the inner foundation of the healthcare business will be able to function as a unit. This will certainly make your role in healthcare leadership easier.
Staff Interaction
Staff meetings are an essential part of team building in a healthcare setting. Everyone should get the opportunity to have their voice heard. This is a time for problem solving though, not complaining. Make sure that is clear and that you move the conversations in that direction. Try to offer some forms of staff interaction that aren’t work related too. For example, a potluck is a good idea. There are plenty of team building activities that can be implemented on a monthly basis too.
Select Staff Carefully
Even though many health care settings are short staffed, that doesn’t mean you should hire just anyone. Make sure to hire a team player by providing an assessment tool to help gauge that based on their answers. Ask several questions during the interview process too and will that help you to see how they will get along with others. When issues do arise among staff members, be unbiased and listen to both sides. Come up with a plan of action everyone is happy with that will reflect well on the business goals.
Offer Unity Rather than Separation
In a health care setting, there are many levels of services provided. Try to ensure that all team members can see their importance to the big picture. They also need to see the role of others so that they don’t start to resent what isn’t getting done. Perceptions can be a huge barrier so offering unity where each sector can see what the others do can help to make it a better place for everyone to work.
Assign Groups
As the leader of the healthcare group, assign who works with whom. Mix people up based on the task and the departments they work in. Try to use the strengths of certain people to get what you need for the group to accomplish. When people work with a new set of faces in house, it can give them a new perspective on things. Give the team the task, the freedom to explore, and a deadline and see how they work to come up with a viable solution.
Roles and Responsibilities
There should always be a clear definition of roles and responsibilities. However, you also want to make sure that the needs of the patients are always a priority. Those that work for you should understand you expect them to work as a team when it is needed, without you forcing it upon them. If they aren’t doing so, you need to bring it to their attention and offer some solutions and direction.
Offer Praise
When you offer plenty of praise, not only for a job well done but for effort, everyone is more willing to try in the workplace. They aren’t going to feel like they are being taken advantage of and they won’t be afraid to make mistakes. Give support where you can and you will often find that others follow that same example.