Performance is the product of what we are capable of doing (technical skill) multiplied by what we are willing to do (motivation). In health care delivery, as in other high-risk industries, a gap between these two elements of performance can result in poor work quality that causes harm, suffering, and even threatens lives.
Influential leaders are aware of these dire consequences. They hold themselves and others accountable for closing this performance gap. They model and teach the appropriate behaviours that strengthen both technical skills and motivation. Neuroscience research has shown in recent years that the best leadership skills are rooted in how people think. Thinking leads to emotions that together make it possible to focus on higher order brain function for performance: productivity, quality, initiative, team work, problem solving, and response to change and stress.
A critical problem in management generally (not just in health care) is the scarcity of leaders who possess the influential leadership behaviour traits that propel organizations to greatness and guide organizations through their significant challenges. We have plenty of managers and leaders who have superb technical, operational, and financial skills and an acute understanding of system processes. But we lack managers and leaders who have the motivation to go beyond those skills to enable the organization to exceed (not just meet) expectations; keep patients safe; and continue to improve processes, quality, and satisfaction.
This shortfall of leaders with a deep understanding of the link between behaviour and peak performance poses a huge opportunity for organizations of the future. The opportunity to learn, to understand, and to change is not a complex undertaking – it is a slow and steady process of continuous improvement of mindset and behaviour. The skill of Positive Presence and the use of the Positive Presence philosophy as a business process improvement strategy will, without a doubt, enable your organization to create the essential positive emotional energy to reach peak performance, sustain strong working relationships, and improve organizational wellness. In essence, it will take you from good to great.
CORPORATE HARMONY is grateful to Dr. Michael E. Frisina for his contributions to this entry.
Catherine is the President and CEO of CORPORATE HARMONY, providing virtual solutions for leadership development and organizational culture change. Her leadership and coaching experience as a Project Manager in an ever-changing, fast moving technological organization with unrelenting demands drove her to the realization that a positive mindset and strength-building behaviors are essential for today’s complex and chaotic organizational systems. CORPORATE HARMONY’s virtual platform of programs, coaching and performance measurement, is an innovative online technology of tested proprietary content. The world-class content of CORPORATE HARMONY’s Positive Presence Program develops the skill of ‘Positive Presence’ and the necessary ‘Positive Presence Behaviour Competencies’ for maintaining a positive and energized mindset and increased performance in today’s complex work environment, and leading to a culture of collaboration and connection. Catherine’s vision for Corporate Harmony is to bring the skill of “Positive Presence” to the corporate world as it becomes more complex, ambiguous and chaotic. Catherine is uniquely positioned to impact organizations’ productivity and long term success, with her powerful vision of eliminating bad stress from every workplace around the globe, bringing purpose into the people equation to promote healthy, productive and meaningful work cultures and turn the tide on the neglect of mental health on a global scale. Catherine is author of the book: “CORPORATE HARMONY – The Performance Link for Today’s Modern Organization” Catherine can be reached at: Catherine.Osborne@corporateharmony.ca or go to ‘contact us’ on our website www.corporateharmony.ca. Catherine is available for consultation, and can be reached by 519-695-3407.