Managers Can Apply Nursing Principles To Leadership

May 12, 2016 | Communication, Leadership, Trust

Photo by OnCall team on Flickr

Since entering into the healthcare market over a decade ago, more than one person/organization has told me the importance of hourly rounding on patients in the hospital setting. Hourly rounding can address trips to the restroom, pain assessment, and simple needs such as drinks and food. Studies have shown that it reduces patient falls which are very dangerous for patients and very expensive for hospitals.

The same can be said too for rounding on employees. Rounding on employees at the very least on a quarterly basis gives employees an opportunity to communicate with their leaders how they are feeling and their needs. In our experience giving employees this opportunity also reduces “falls” (lack of productivity and engagement, poor communication, and turnover). To achieve maximum results, it is best to round on employees informally on a daily basis.

One supervisor (we’ll call him Barry) that I recently met said that he doesn’t have time for all of that “chit-chat”. “I have goals and those goals are tied to his direct report’s production. It’s all business” he indicated. I simply asked him, “If there was anything you could do to help your direct reports succeed (within budget and FTE constraints), wouldn’t you do it?” I went further and indicated that rounding sessions are the times that you learn best about how you can help your employees achieve their goals.

On the last day of Nurse’s Week, Earnest Consulting Group would like to thank all nurses for their dedication to making us well and providing us comfort.

What other ways can we reduce the amount of “falls” our employees experience?

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