What Can I Do To Help YOU Succeed

In 1993, as a young recruit in the US Army, I recall the first time I met Sgt Shell, the Manager of the Laboratory at Ft. Meade, Maryland. I was eager to start working after intense training at Fort Sam Houston as a Laboratory Specialist, but openly admit I was scared to death. 

Sgt Shell was a tall, thin gentleman, with salt and pepper hair, a tightly trimmed mustache and kind eyes. His sense of confidence I still recall 25 years later. His initial impression was warm and humbling but strong and not someone with whom I wanted to disappoint.  He set up a time for us to get to know one another, and asked our front desk staff to, not interrupt us.  I felt I was important.

He offered me something to drink, asked me to please sit down and after a few basic questions he asked with a soft smile, “what can I do to help you succeed?” I was one of the lowest on the totem pole, brand new, without any experience and he was surely moving his way up the ladder. What could he do to help me succeed? 25 years later, I still hear his question.   

1. When running my own company, I knew what tasks needed to be performed, but would ask my team what their thoughts were on how to be the most efficient. How they/we could succeed.

2. When precepting Medical/RN/Advanced Practice students, I ask them what their weakness is/was, and what could do to help them become more proficient. What do they need to succeed.

3. When on a quality initiative committee years ago, the task was split in 3 ways, the laboratory, the RN staff and the providers. We asked each entity what was needed to do their job. Not just to make it happen which happens all to often. Time was taken to analyze the situation and to learn where the challenges were. In the end the task was successful after learning what everyone needed to succeed.

The list goes on, but I have always been a firm believer, that people are assets and not just employees paid to do a job. Most people I know want to be successful, to grow and improve one’s self professionally and financially and to feel like they are part of a team. I find asking, “what can I do to help YOU be successful”, is a great way to start.

What do you think?

#Success, #TeamApproach, #PHM, #ValueBasedCare, #TeamBuilding, #CEO, #CFO