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Together With
Good morning. I've worked with and alongside some exceptional leaders and operators over the years, and they all have a few traits in common.
One of them is an unapologetic sense of urgency for tackling issues and initiatives that will move the operation forward.
They know how to prioritize what's in front of them, and they attack the top priorities.
Today, we unpack how they do it.
Partners We Love
Family communications like it should be – real-time, self-serve, and documented
Connect families with easy access to the information they want so your staff can do what they do best – care for residents. We have an app that shares real-time data with families, care staff, and other stakeholders how, when, and where they want it.
- Elevate family and resident satisfaction by delivering accurate health information in real time
- Improve staff efficiency and retention by eliminating additional processes and creating better workflows
- Share chart details and exceed Cures Act patient access rules
- Document compliance with CMS communication rules in your EHRs progress notes
- Reduce risk through accurate and consistent communication with residents and family members
- Cut expenses with a simplified tech stack and fewer administrative tasks
Our platform leads to better insights, census, staffing, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance without adding burdens to your care staff.
Learn more about How's Mom HERE
Elevate your Leadership
Cultivating a Sense of Urgency: A Catalyst for Career Advancement
Cultivating a sense of urgency is not just about quick decision-making; it's a strategic approach to career advancement that goes beyond mere talent.
When shown consistently, it sets the tone for your entire community positively.
It shows you value your employees, residents, and your organization's mission.
It brings energy and momentum to everything you're involved with.
Leverage these tactics to improve your sense of urgency in tackling priorities.
1. Understanding Sense of Urgency
A sense of urgency is recognizing that some pressing issues require prompt action. It's about utilizing time effectively to ensure tasks are completed swiftly and efficiently. This approach helps meet deadlines, satisfies residents and their families, and maintains smooth operations, contributing positively to organizational change.
2. Leading by Example
Leaders must demonstrate the behavior they expect from their team. Creating a sense of urgency starts with embodying the right attitude and approach. It's about setting the tone for your team, establishing shared values, and defining a common purpose. Leaders should distinguish between genuine urgency and false alarms, ensuring the team focuses on what truly matters.
3. Maintaining calmness
Urgency doesn't imply panic or chaos. Conversely, it means and leads to confidence and grit. Leaders should exemplify calmness even in pressing situations, using clear communication to convey the importance of deadlines and tasks. Urgency is finding the straightest line and shortest distance between a problem and its solution.
Setting Mini-Deadlines
Research shows tighter deadlines lead to higher completion rates and more efficient task execution. Breaking a large project into smaller deadlines can help teams stay focused and avoid procrastination, leading to better overall performance.
A technique that works well for me is asking and knowing three things.- What are the next steps? Who is on point for each step? When will each step be completed?
5. Honoring Deadlines
Respecting the deadlines you set is crucial. If leaders don't honor their deadlines, it sends a message that these timelines are arbitrary, which can demotivate the team. Consistency in respecting deadlines reinforces their importance.
6. Outsource what you're not good at
Creating urgency involves immediate planning and scheduling. Setting specific timelines and regular check-ins can help maintain momentum and focus on the task.
When an urgent matter presents itself, always pull together the stakeholders to gather the facts and gain alignment on the next steps.
I despise setting up meetings in Outlook, especially from my phone, so I utilize the talents of the front desk receptionist to complete this task for me. It allows me to move quickly.
7. Regular Meetings on Urgent Matters
Frequent meetings help in keeping the team aligned and focused on urgent matters. This approach minimizes the risk of last-minute rushes and ensures continuous progress.
8. Demonstrating the Benefits of Urgency
Teams are more motivated when they see the tangible benefits of their urgency. Showcasing the positive impacts of their efforts can significantly boost their willingness to act swiftly and effectively.
Stating, "Sharon, I appreciate your sense of urgency in handling this concern. Nice work" goes a long way.
9. Leverage technology
Documenting the process and sharing updates and progress are key drivers in demonstrating urgency in the proper context. Family communication tools like the How's Mom platform can streamline communication efforts with stakeholders outside of your community.
Actionable Takeaways:
- Embrace a sense of urgency in your leadership style.
- Implement mini-deadlines for better project management.
- Outsource anything you don't like doing, like setting up the touchpoints.
- Always know what next steps are and who's responsible.
- Lead by example and maintain calmness under pressure.
A sense of urgency is a powerful tool in career advancement, particularly in skilled nursing leadership. Adopting this approach and embedding it into your leadership style can significantly enhance your team's performance and career trajectory.
Whenever you're ready, there are a couple of ways I can help you.
- Purchase NAB-approved, online, self-paced, continuing education courses at a 20% discount here. Pay for only the credits that you need with no annual subscription required.
- Coming soon in January 2024. Stay tuned!
- Coming soon in February 2024. Stay tuned!
