BarkleyOKRP Health Innovations

I once worked for a company where the CEO wouldn’t allow people to discuss failure. Mistakes weren’t seen as learning opportunities—they were liabilities. If something didn’t work, it was quietly swept under the rug, never to be mentioned again. At first glance, that might seem like a commitment to excellence. But in reality, it created a culture of fear, silence, and stagnation. Now, let’s apply that to healthcare. Imagine a hospital where frontline staff are afraid to report errors, or a health insurer that buries failed initiatives rather than analyzing what went wrong. That’s not just a business problem—it’s a patient care problem. Will Rogers put it best: “Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgment.” In healthcare, experience is everything. But if we refuse to acknowledge failures, how do we ever gain the experience that leads to better judgment? Here’s why failure must be part of the process: ?? No Lessons Learned – In healthcare, every misstep has the potential to save—or cost—lives. If we can’t talk about what went wrong, we can’t fix it. The best health systems use failure as fuel for improvement, not something to be hidden. ?? Risk Aversion Kills Innovation – Fear-based cultures don’t push boundaries. In a world where medical breakthroughs come from trial and error, playing it safe isn’t an option. Think about the speed of COVID-19 vaccine development—without a willingness to take risks, we’d still be waiting. ?? Lack of Psychological Safety – When doctors, nurses, and administrators feel they can’t speak up about problems, bad processes persist, and patient outcomes suffer. The best ideas—and the most urgent warnings—die in silence. Now, contrast that with organizations that embrace failure as part of growth: ? Mayo Clinic’s Culture of Safety – They encourage staff to report errors, not to punish, but to learn and improve. That mindset saves lives. ? Cleveland Clinic’s Patient Experience Evolution – They didn’t always get it right, but by openly addressing past shortcomings, they’ve become a global leader in patient-centered care. ? Johns Hopkins’ Checklist Revolution – After a preventable ICU death, they didn’t hide the failure. They created a simple safety checklist that has since saved thousands of lives worldwide. The best healthcare organizations aren’t failure-free—they are failure-resilient. If your culture discourages discussing failure, it’s discouraging learning, innovation, and progress. Healthcare can’t afford that. It’s time to change the narrative: Failure isn’t the enemy—stagnation is. Because as Will Rogers reminded us, good judgment comes from experience—and experience comes from poor judgment.

?? Shoutout to the team at BarkleyOKRP for sharing their powerful case study on the 'Unfinished Legacies' campaign at Decisions Atlanta. ???? Using data and AI, the agency crafted a compelling and emotionally charged narrative around the fentanyl crisis in Kansas City. ?? Huge thanks for the insightful session on storytelling in the data & AI era: Jeff King, McCracken, Olivia DellaPolla. ? Props to the team for using the power of creativity and problem solving in combination with AI as a tool for execution to contribute to larger good. With the right inputs, AI can be leveraged for bringing about positive change. #Storytelling #DataDriven #AI #FentanylCrisis #DecisionsAtlanta #4AsEvents #Decisions2025 #AdTech #CampaignInnovation #BarkleyOKRP

Not every challenge in business is created equal. Some problems are complicated—like assembling a high-performance machine. They’re detailed, intricate, but follow a clear blueprint. With the right expertise and a well-worn manual, you can break them down, follow the steps, and predict the outcome with confidence. Then there are complex challenges—more like tending a vibrant, unpredictable ecosystem. In these cases, small tweaks can ripple out in unforeseen ways. The whole isn’t just the sum of its parts; it’s a dynamic, ever-changing web that demands adaptability, holistic thinking, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. Now, let’s talk healthcare. Far too many healthcare challenges aren’t merely complicated—they’re inherently complex. Improving patient outcomes isn’t just about installing new tech or streamlining one process. It’s about understanding the intricate interplay of patient behaviors, social determinants, clinical care nuances, and more. A tiny intervention can spark transformative change—or create new challenges—across the entire system. For healthcare leaders, the lesson is clear: Recognize when you’re dealing with a complicated problem that can be solved step-by-step, versus a complex one that requires continuous adaptation and systemic thinking. By tailoring our approach, we can create truly seamless patient experiences, detect disease states earlier, and ultimately lower long-term care costs. The takeaway? Don’t just add fuel to the fire. Take the time to understand the nature of your challenge, invest the right kind of energy, and drive change that makes a real impact. #BusinessStrategy #HealthcareInnovation #Complexity #Leadership #PatientExperience #SystemsThinking #BarkleyOKRP

We often react to business challenges by cranking up the fuel—more ads, promotions, events, distribution—thinking that more energy will make everything take off. But here’s the kicker: what if the real problem isn’t a lack of fuel, but the friction slowing us down? Friction is that underlying resistance—the hidden obstacle that prevents us from truly connecting with our audience. Sometimes we know it’s there, but it looks like a tangled, hairy mess we’d rather avoid. Other times, it’s a blind spot until it’s too late. When we take the time to pinpoint and eliminate that friction, everything shifts. Now, consider healthcare. Many organizations assume that simply investing in new technology or chasing higher volumes will automatically enhance the member/patient experience. But if there’s fundamental friction—whether it’s clunky processes, misaligned strategies, or cultural roadblocks—then throwing more fuel at the problem won’t cut it. Imagine a frictionless patient experience: appointments that are easy to book, care that’s truly seamless from start to finish, and patients who feel empowered to visit their doctors regularly. With friction cleared, patients aren’t deterred by inconvenience. They’ll engage in preventive care, leading to earlier detection of disease states and interventions that not only improve outcomes but also reduce the long-term cost of care. In healthcare, addressing friction means rethinking how we deliver care. It’s about transforming the patient journey so that every interaction is smooth, every touchpoint builds trust, and every visit paves the way for healthier lives. Yes, it’s a giant, hairy challenge—but one that’s absolutely worth tackling. So let’s stop just adding fuel and start clearing the friction. Because when we do, we unlock the true potential of healthcare innovation—a world where improved patient experiences drive better outcomes and lower costs for everyone. hashtag #HealthcareInnovation #FrictionVsFuel #PatientExperience #PreventiveCare #Leadership #ChangeManagement #BarkleyOKRP

Perception vs. Perspective: It’s like the difference between a single leaf and the entire forest. We all view challenges through our own lens—our unique experiences color what we see. Up close, a leaf reveals a world of detail: its veins, textures, and vibrant hues. But zoom out, and suddenly, you’re not just looking at a leaf—you’re witnessing a vast, interconnected forest. In healthcare innovation, this distinction is critical. It’s easy to zero in on refining existing processes, chasing efficiency and marginal improvements. But what happens when we step into our patients’ shoes? When we truly see the landscape from their perspective, we uncover challenges that were hidden in plain sight—challenges that, when addressed, lead to a better patient experience, improved outcomes, and lower costs. In our industry, innovation isn’t about tweaking what we already do; it’s about changing the game. By shifting our focus from the minutiae to the big picture, we can identify and solve the problems that really matter. Let’s stop getting lost in the details of our own perspective. It’s time to step back, see the forest, and drive change that makes a real difference. hashtag #HealthcareInnovation #PatientExperience #Perspective #Leadership #Innovation #HealthcareTransformation #BarkleyOKRP

I've been thinking a lot about ambition versus time lately. We’re all wired to chase new opportunities—both in our personal lives and at work. But here’s the reality check: no matter how high our ambitions soar, time is the one resource we simply can’t multiply. Now, let’s bring this home in the context of healthcare. We all know the immense potential to transform healthcare—improving patient outcomes, cutting costs, and building healthier communities. Yet, the magic happens only when organizations narrow their focus. Instead of trying to do everything, the real game-changer is choosing one critical initiative and going all in. Focus, as they say, requires sacrifice. It means turning down the lure of endless projects to truly invest in the one that matters most. And trust me—the payoff is monumental. When healthcare leaders commit to focus, we see better patient outcomes, a care team that feels genuinely supported, and a significant drop in total cost of care. In short, we pave the way for a healthier, more vibrant community. Ambition is vital, but in the end, focus is what creates lasting impact. hashtag #BarkleyOKRP

Innovation in healthcare needs less fuel, more friction-fixing. Dive into this, and more, with Jon Dwoskin + BHI's Jason Spacek on the latest Think Business Live Podcast. Too often, companies think more fuel—ads, features, lower prices—is the answer. But BarkleyOKRP Health Innovations flips the script. Jason and team help healthcare brands remove friction, making it easier for consumers to engage, convert, + stay. That's the kind of pull all brands need. Whether it’s redesigning an insurance experience or rethinking patient care models, the real innovation comes from falling in love with the problem, not the solution. Want to get unstuck? Start by listening to the people you serve. #Innovation #Healthcare #BrandExperience https://lnkd.in/g4crESxw

Healthcare reform needs a shakeup, and Ron Rowe from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is calling out the system’s challenges. He’s championing the ICHRA model—giving individuals the power to pick their coverage, ditching the one-size-fits-all approach that drives up costs. With creative solutions for gig workers and self-employed folks, Rowe's team is proving that smart, bold moves can break through healthcare's notorious complexity. #HealthcareChampions #InnovationInHealth BarkleyOKRP ?? https://lnkd.in/gkxNuPrW

Strategic success in healthcare comes from "Falling in love with the problem." Falling in love with the problem is a mindset that emphasizes focusing on understanding and solving the core issues or challenges, rather than getting fixated on the solutions or outcomes. In the context of US healthcare, it means prioritizing a deep understanding of the systemic problems, such as accessibility, affordability, quality, and equity, before jumping to quick fixes or technological innovations. This approach encourages tackling the root causes of the healthcare crisis, considering how those problems impact various groups, and ensuring that solutions are well-aligned with the true needs of patients and the healthcare system. How to think about it: Focus on the Root Causes: In US healthcare, issues like rising costs, inequity, and inefficiencies are often symptoms of deeper structural problems. "Falling in love with the problem" involves diagnosing the core issues (e.g., administrative complexity, lack of universal coverage, fragmented care systems) and exploring how these factors interact. Empathy and Patient-Centered Solutions: Rather than getting caught up in a technology or a business model, it calls for understanding the real needs of patients and communities. By deeply understanding the patient experience — whether it’s long wait times, medical debt, or barriers to care — healthcare innovators can create solutions that address what matters most to the people they aim to serve. Sustainability and Long-Term Impact: Falling in love with the problem encourages developing solutions that address long-term systemic issues, not just temporary fixes. For example, addressing healthcare costs isn't just about reducing prices but reforming how care is delivered, incentivizing value over volume, and ensuring sustainability for future generations. Collaboration Over Competition: Often in healthcare, different stakeholders (insurers, providers, patients, regulators) work in silos. By focusing on the problem, collaboration between these stakeholders becomes more important than competing for market share. Solutions may require partnerships and alignment to create a cohesive system that serves everyone better. Innovation with Purpose: In a healthcare landscape filled with new technologies and practices, it's easy to fall in love with shiny, innovative solutions. But, if these innovations don’t directly address the deep-rooted problems like health disparities or underutilization of services, they risk being ineffective. Falling in love with the problem leads to innovation that is meaningful, user-centered, and impactful. In short, "falling in love with the problem" means dedicating energy to understanding the challenges in their fullest context—social, economic, technological, and political — before proposing or implementing solutions. This approach can help create lasting improvements that truly meet the needs of the people who rely on the healthcare system.