What to Do When You Don't Have All The Answers!

Swift Current ~?90 seconds of elegantly simple leadership wisdom.?

You’re a leader, and things are changing so rapidly - there's a new business strategy, a reorganization, conflict among your employees, and increasing pressure on everyone to do more with less. You may not be able to give people clear simple answers, so what do you do? People are looking to you for answers. Do you hide in your office and avoid the tough conversations? Do you just try to "fake it till you make it"? An emotionally intelligent leader acknowledges what is going on and has the confidence to face these conversations. If one of our coaches was working with you through this sort of situation (which we hear about daily), here are a few things we might suggest you consider. We invite you choose the one that feels most important and helpful in your situation and to put your own spin on the approach!

• Make clear what is clear ("I can't answer xyz, but here's what I do know...").
• Acknowledge what people are experiencing - understanding goes a long way - but don't leave them where they are ("I know this is tough on all of us. I am feeling some anxiety, too, but I am also hopeful and here is why..."). Naming both a positive and a negative emotion can be very helpful.
• Make more time for people to connect; people feel more comfortable if they don't feel they are going through things alone (get off-site together, have some fun, laugh, and be human).

Northstar Network is a network of healthcare-related organizations in Rochester, NY, committed to transforming the way healthcare is done in their community. They understand change has to come not just from hospitals, but from the wide spectrum of healthcare organizations. This is what they call, "The new business of healthcare." Their work over the years is reflected in community metrics showing that Rochester has one of the lowest per-citizen costs for healthcare in the country! The changes they have been able to make have come largely from leaders of these organizations being willing to open communication lines and truly collaborate together. Epic Rivers Leadership has been fortunate enough to work with Northstar Network for the past 3 years to help train their leaders to have better, more meaningful conversations with their employees, their patients, and their colleagues. The strategies and mindset above are just part of what we've helped teach them!

Until next time BE LIFE-GIVING!

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