Difficult QuestionsReal Challenges

A vision of the future&

An exploration of departmental Culture

Negativity is easy• Communicating Negativity.

Negativity is an attitude we communicate at work in three ways:• Verbally. We may say things such as "Bad idea — it will never work," or "This

is such a terrible place to work," or "I am the one who gets paid around here to think, not you."

• Vocally. We can whine, yell, be sarcastic, or speak inaudibly.

• Visually. We can frown, avoid eye contact, or use inappropriate gestures. Not all individuals express or show negativity the same way.

Topchik G.S. 2/04 Purging Negativity in the Workplace

Gossip in the workplace• Be busy. Gossipmongers want attention. If you're preoccupied with your

work, you can't be available to listen to their latest story. • Don’t participate. Walk away from the story. Don’t give visual clues that you

are interested in listening. If someone passes a juicy story on to you, don't pass it any further. Take personal responsibility to act with integrity. • Turn it around by saying something positive. It isn't nearly as much fun to

spread negative news if it's spoiled by a complimentary phrase about the person being attacked • Avoid the gossiper. If you notice one person who consistently makes trouble,

take the necessary actions to have as little interaction with that person as possible. Avoid him/her.

Gossip in the workplace continued• Keep your private life private. Don't trust personal information with coworkers.

Remember, if they are gossiping about others, they will gossip about you, too. Don't give them ammunition. • Choose your friends wisely at work. You spend a good deal of time at work so it's

natural for friendships to develop. Share information sparingly until you are sure that you have built up a level of trust. Also, close association with gossipers will give the perception that you are a gossiper. • Be direct. If you confront the gossiper and confidently tell him or her that such behavior

is making it uncomfortable for you and other coworkers, it's likely to stop. • Don't be afraid to go to a superior. Gossiping wastes a lot of company time and hurts

morale. A company interested in a healthy work environment will value the opportunity to correct this type of situation.

Abberjay. M. Workplace Gossip, Career Stone Group

Change is hard• Here are a few tips for learning to love change in the workplace:• Recognize When You’re Resisting A great first step for most people is simply to recognize when change is happening and how you’re reacting. If you’re resistant, figure out what’s beneath the resistance. Is it fear? Why are you pushing back when everything around you is moving forward?• Look for the Opportunity Remember that change = chaos + opportunity. It’s a two-part equation. What potential exists within the change? Shine a spotlight there.• Make It Less Dramatic An overnight, sudden change is much harder to handle than a gradual shift. It’s like the “frog in a boiling water” scenario. When you see change on the horizon, be proactive. Do what you can to ease the transition, minimize the chaos and enhance the opportunity.• Release Emotional Attachments Let go of the feelings you have associated with the old way of doing things. Comfort can be more emotional than rational. Remember that you’re endlessly adaptable and that growth almost always comes with discomfort. Learn to simply go with the flow and see where the wave takes you.

Scivicque, C. Learning To Love Change in the Workplace. 7/11

Defining the Future• A realistic Vision??

• Aside from the job scope itself, one factor that significantly influences how employees feel about work is the environment. Work environment, meaning everything that forms part of employees’ involvement with the work itself, such as the relationship with co-workers and supervisors, organizational culture, room for personal development, etc.• A positive work environment makes employees feel good about coming

to work, and this provides the motivation to sustain them throughout the day.

Poh, M. 5 Characteristics of a positive workplace environment.

Commitment• What is Commitment?

•Values• The Promise

•Vision• Previously Described

•Mission• Quality patient care

Engagement• What is Engagement?

•Being Fully present, physically and emotionally.

• Being self aware• Being aware of how you can affect your surroundings• What does your patient deserve??

Passion/Enthusiasm• What is Passion/Enthusiasm??

•Loving your work and letting it show

• Customer Service• Treat others how you would treat your mother• What is your best experience??

Initiative• What is Initiative??

•Seeing what needs to be done and taking action to get it done

• Everyone's Responsibility• Critical Thinking• Teamwork• Willing to help

Stewardship• What is Stewardship??

•Effectively shepherding limited resources

•Awareness•Efficiencies•Understanding that the future cannot be the past•Kaizen

Belonging• What is Belonging?

•Being included, feeling included and including others

• New Family Members• Communication• Different job classes• Events

Fellowship• What is Fellowship?

•Being a friend and having friends at work

• Collective Vision• Listening Actively• Look for similarities• Accept Differences

Pride• What is Pride?

•Pride in your profession, your hospital, your work and yourself

• Different skill sets with the patient at the center• Island Hospital Culture• Impactful Interactions• What do you want??

Difficult Questions• What are YOU going to do to make this the place you want to work?• What is missing?• Are you self aware enough to know how you are affecting your

environment?• How are you improving yourself?• What are you bringing to work?

A vision of the future•Great communication•Greater respect for each other•Understanding of job roles• Tolerance of change – Kaizen, become

involved• Interest in each other

Real Challenges•Wanting to be here•Wanting to improve, personally and

professionally•Wanting to be involved•Develop solutions, not just problems•Being empowered to say no!!

Up To You

Links• http://www.asaecenter.org/Resources/EUArticle.cfm?ItemNumber=1

1645• www.careerstonegroup.com/z-media/wp-workplace-gossip.pdf• http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/07/18/learning-

to-love-change-in-the-workplace/• www.hongkiat.com/blog/positive-working-environment• www.theflorencechallenge.com/downloads/theflorenceprescription.pdf