Copy of An Open Letter To My Team

Leaders should spend time with their teams in meaningful and intentional ways. One of my favorite ways to do this is through Gemba walks and regular check-ins. I integrate small moments into my day-to-day interactions. For example, I intentionally gave away my printer in my office. Why? So that every time I printed a document, I would walk to the unit to get it. This gives me a chance to check in and connect with the team. One team member jokingly asked me what happened to my printer, and I explained this to them. In good humor, they’ve been plotting to buy me a new one as a gift, but I’m not sure I’ll accept it—I value those small opportunities to engage with everyone.

My team is wonderfully diverse, with a wide range of personalities and strengths that complement each other well. Some of you are early adopters, always open to new ideas and perspectives. Seeing how quickly you embrace change and drive innovation forward is inspiring. Others are natural problem solvers—sometimes solving “problems” before they arise! There are moments when I catch myself thinking, “Oh no, what now?” but having proactive minds on the team helps us stay ahead of the curve, and I appreciate that. I also admire those of you who are active listeners, fully present in conversations, and able to execute exactly what’s needed. I try to nurture that behavior by keeping an open door and fostering honest, constructive feedback. Feedback can sometimes feel challenging, but we’ve been working hard to improve our interpersonal customer service skills, and our patients have recognized our efforts. I encourage you to act with integrity, follow the rules, and ensure we deliver the best care possible. Doing so improves patient safety and creates opportunities for us to improve as a team.

Some of you are incredibly results-oriented, and when I need something done well, I know exactly who to turn to. I love watching you grow by taking initiative and bringing your ideas to the table. There are those of you who are quieter but incredibly insightful. You take feedback in stride, learn from your experiences, and continuously improve. I’m so proud to see many of you pursuing academic qualifications and developing new skills—around 30 to 40% of our team is advancing their education! Your newfound knowledge and growth will benefit our team as you succeed in your academic journey. I also want to recognize those of you who consistently demonstrate a “team first” attitude, always putting our unit’s goals and objectives ahead of everything else. You never let anything slip by, even when it would be easy to overlook, and that dedication makes a huge difference. To the early adopters, who adapt so seamlessly to new challenges and changes—you help bring my many ideas to life, and I appreciate that you’re always willing to push forward with me. Sometimes, I wonder if you’re going through the motions, but one thing is sure: if something isn’t right, you aren’t afraid to speak up, and that’s precisely the kind of open communication I value.

To everyone on this team, I want to say thank you. You’ve embraced challenges, shared your creative ideas, and remained flexible throughout the challenges. Whatever obstacles we face, we will overcome them together because we work well as a team and always keep our patient’s needs and the unit’s goals at the forefront. I’m grateful for you and your commitment, even on days like today when the weather is inclement.

Keep doing the fantastic work you’ve been doing, and know that your efforts are seen and appreciated.

Thank you for all that you do!