Public health care, in fact the public sector as a whole is wrought with high rates of absenteeism, decreased productivity and quality, and may I say, a less-than-healthy work force? The kind of stress caused by the very nature of the environment and consequence in which they work creates a vicious cycle of mental, physical and emotional illness if left unchecked.
The first thing to understand is that the situation is systemic. There’s no ‘one’ reason, and there’s no ‘quick fix’. There are a huge number of factors that have led to this environment. It’s also worthy of note that every developed country on the planet — United States, Australia, the UK, among others – are experiencing similar issues.
The good news is, the cycle can be broken and the ship can be turned. We need to look to the research coming from the Neurosciences to begin to understand why today’s health care work environment affects so many the way it does. Then we need to develop our leaders so they have the knowledge and understanding necessary to help themselves and others stop the flood of stress hormones … resulting in a healthier workforce — physically, mentally and emotionally. One such skill is the skill of Positive Presence™. Positive Presence is a new and deliberate way of thinking and behaving that makes the connection between human energy and behaviour, and is easily practiced and developed right on the job. For many, it is just a lot of common sense, but for others it is a slow and gentle process that requires the help of both team mates and leaders.
It is important therefore for today’s health organizations – and all organizations for that matter – to ensure they are providing their leaders, and their workforce as a whole, with the necessary tools and knowledge to overcome the cycle of absenteeism.
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.