Collaborative LeadershipFrank Lee, MD FACEP

Objective

What is Collaboration

Why Collaborate

How to begin

Collaboration

def. Collaboration- the action of working with a person or a group to produce or achieve something

there must first be an understanding that no one can succeed without the other

each of us has specialized expertise or unique capabilities that the other needs

Collaboration

Collaboration

Why Collaborate?Buy In

Encourages ownership and lets people have a voice, impact. Let people know that you value their input and the is why they are in included. ex Dept meetings

Involvement

More likely for people to take responsibility for implementation because they were involved in developing it.

Why Collaborate

Trust

Encourages open discussions, transparent decision making

Reduce turf perception

Understand that everyone working towards common goal

Other advantages…

Why Collaborate

Why Collaborate

Access to more ideas and varying perspectives

Many times you will get insight into something you have not considered or thought of

Most important reason

Understanding that you cannot achieve success on your own

Issues

Issues

Things tend to take a little longer to do things

To be effective, must have the ability to listen and be thoughtful

one last issue

Issues

Issues

Issues

Must be able to suppress ego

Getting Started

First thing that needs to be delineated is the problem/issue you are trying to solve.

Let everyone know what constraints there are. This promotes transparency

Open discussion regarding ideas

Caveat

Getting started

Ask for suggestions/solutions

Must be non judgmental and allow everyone to speak

People must feel like they are in a safe environment to speak their mind, otherwise people will shut down and there will be resentment

Understand that the goals cannot be achieved without the other

How to get started- ED Director/Nurse Manager

Establish formal agenda to be discussed twice a month (or more) that is scheduled

This also helps to build a unified front

Never want to hear about an issue from your c-suite

How to get started- ED Director/Nurse Manager

Building the relationship

Evaluation

Ask what is it that you do that drives them nuts

How can we work together better?

Ask what you can do to help

How to get started- ED Director/Nurse Manager

Attend the other departments monthly meeting

Build trust

ex cc.

And if you are still having issues…

How to get started- ED Director/Nurse Manager

“It’s not you, it’s me”

How to get started- Staff

Same basic principles apply with a few exceptions

Collaborating with a bigger group

Have to have strong role in directing the team and form and disband them as the opportunities come and go

Collaboration is NOT consensus.

The collaborative leader has to have clear decision rights and responsibilities so at the appropriate time end the discussion and make the final call.

Questions?