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Together With
Good morning. Ever had a boss or mentor who can utter two to three questions over a 60-minute conversation that drive you to achieve clarity like no one else can?
The best leaders I know listen and ask the right questions at the right time. Their ratio of question marks to periods in their speaking is at least 10:1. Great leaders only speak for 5% of the discussion at a maximum and often less. Let’s figure out how they do it and how you can implement their tactics.
Be sure to check out our sponsor, TapestryHealth. They’re one of the few who are truly leveraging technology to save your direct Care team time while simultaneously driving higher quality outcomes. Learn more about TapestryHealth HERE.
Elevate Your Leadership
The Questioning Leader
Research in leadership and management underscores the value of leaders who ask questions rather than give directives. According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, leaders who employ questioning foster greater engagement, innovation, and trust within their teams. By asking questions, leaders open the door to diverse perspectives and ideas, essential for problem-solving and growth.
Defining the Vision
Great leaders are visionaries. They provide a clear and compelling vision for their organizations. However, instead of micromanaging the steps to achieve this vision, they engage their teams in defining the journey. This collaborative approach not only harnesses the collective expertise of the team but also builds a sense of ownership and motivation.
In skilled nursing facilities, a leader might articulate the vision for superior patient care and then ask, “How can we best achieve this?” This simple yet powerful question invites staff to share their insights and develop actionable strategies.
Collaboration Over Control
Micromanagers use more periods—giving commands and expecting strict adherence. This style of leadership can stifle creativity and decrease job satisfaction. In contrast, leaders who use more question marks encourage a collaborative atmosphere. They recognize that their team members are experts in their own right and that their contributions are crucial.
For example, rather than stating, “We need to implement this new procedure,” a good leader might ask, “What are your thoughts on this new procedure, and how can we adapt it to better fit our needs?” This question not only solicits input but also shows respect for the team’s expertise.
Driving Innovation
Questions drive innovation by encouraging team members to think critically and creatively. When leaders ask questions like, “What challenges are we facing?” and “What solutions can we explore?” they create a culture where continuous improvement is the norm. This approach is particularly valuable in skilled nursing, where adapting to new regulations and best practices is essential.
Building Trust and Engagement
Trust is the cornerstone of effective leadership. By asking questions and actively listening to their team’s responses, leaders build trust and rapport. This inclusive approach shows that leaders value their team’s opinions and are committed to making decisions collaboratively.
Actionable Takeaways
1. Shift Your Mindset: Embrace the role of a facilitator rather than a director. Begin conversations with questions to encourage input and dialogue.
2. Empower Your Team: Define the overarching goals and allow your team to map out the path. This empowers them to take ownership of their work and contributes to a more engaged workforce.
3. Foster Innovation: Regularly ask your team for their ideas on improving operations and patient care. Encourage creative thinking and experimentation.
4. Cultivate Continuous Improvement: Use questions to review and refine processes. Regularly check in with your team to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.
Good leaders use more question marks. By asking questions, you can engage your team, leverage their expertise, and foster a collaborative, innovative environment. This approach not only enhances leadership effectiveness but also leads to better outcomes for your community.
Partners We Love
Together with TapestryHealth
One thing I keep hearing from SNF administrators and nurses about TapestryHealth is that “They just seem to get us.” That’s because they do. Tapestry was founded by veteran administrators and clinicians from the SNF industry, and everyone they bring on to their staff has specialized geriatric training and SNF experience. And one thing they know for sure is that every facility has its share of behavioral challenges. They run the gamut from the occasional cranky patient ratcheting up their acting out to full-blown psychiatric patients and everything in between. Which is why they are staffed with behavioral health professionals who can help keep everyone on an even keel. And by everyone, I’m not just talking about the patients. Nurses who have to deal with behavioral issues that they may not have the training for are over-stressed and forced to take time away from other patients. If you’re running a SNF, you need behavioral care services, and TapestryHealth knows it, so they have them, and they won’t cost you anything.
You can check them out HERE or you can Call, Text, or WhatsApp 845.694.7288
Whenever you're ready, there are a couple of ways I can help you.
- Leverage our partnership with CEUSrEZ and purchase NAB-approved, online, self-paced, continuing education courses at a 20% discount here.
- Use our free AI-powered Chatbot trained on all 900 pages of CMS Nursing Home Regulations plus proprietary processes and information from decades of skilled nursing leadership experience. Click here.
- Coming soon in 2024. Stay tuned!
