Struggling with your new Primary Care Network employees?
Assess whether they GET IT, WANT IT and have the CAPACITY to do their job well.
I’m sure you have all experienced a time when the people in your team are not performing and a reason for this may be that they either don’t Get it, don’t Want it or don’t have the Capacity to do it (GWC).
GWC is a vital consideration for leaders and managers implementing a change or managing the day-to-day operations their primary care network or any business in fact.
Gino Wickham in the Book 'Traction' talks about the GWC concept which we may all be well aware of but may not have seen it articulated in this way.
Does your team member GET IT?
If you are in a leadership position, one of your roles is to be as clear as possible in what you are expecting of others. This clarity extends to the role, responsibilities, deliverable's, time-frame's, available resources, communication channels and an understanding of the culture and context of the organisation.
Without clarity people will flounder, under-perform and progress will stall, leading to frustration.
In order for your team member to successfully deliver, you must be clear on what is expected of them.
- Give a solid induction
- Set 90 day goals
- Informally meet with them
- Schedule formal reviews
Does your team member WANT IT?
People have to genuinely want it to perform to a high standard and go the extra mile to achieve what needs to be done. In the long run, this is something money cannot buy and cannot be forced.
When you encounter people who simply do not want it anymore, it’s time to find those that do.
This can be hard, but not every employee is meant to last forever with you, and that’s OK.
Does your team member have the CAPACITY TO DO IT?
With so many competing priorities, we have to honestly assess whether our team members have the time, space, resources and expertise to deliver.
You cannot expect your team to continually run themselves ragged trying to get the job done when they lack the capacity to deliver.
This scenario will result in poor performance, staff absences and low morale to name just a few or this will see your top performers leave.
If you have people on your team who GET IT and WANT IT, empower, support and grant them the CAPACITY they need to do the job well.
These people are worth their weight in gold!
If one or more of the GWC components is missing, you will need to reflect, regroup and reassess the situation. Don’t beat yourself up if things don’t work out. There will be valuable lessons that will have been learnt along the way.
Need a helping hand?
I have recently introduced a 1-2-1 offering, where I can provide you with guidance and advice on how to successfully introduce and embed a new role to your primary care network. Schedule a call with me here and book your meeting today.
We also have a dedicated PCN Resources webpage, have written over 200 blogs and produced over 100 podcasts on our show, The Business of Healthcare, to support you in your leadership career.
Don’t forget to sign-up to our weekly newsletter, delivered every Thursday with ideas, learnings and my own personal experiences that will colour and support you in your role.
About the author
Tara has an MBA in Healthcare Leadership and Management, is published in the London Journal of Primary Care and hosts The Business of Healthcare Podcast.
Tara has written blogs for the NHS Confederation, appeared on the General Practice Podcast and the You are Not a Frog Podcast with Dr Rachel Morris.
Tara has 3 children. Her youngest has Type 1 Diabetes and her middle child has the kidney condition, Nephrotic Syndrome. Working with healthcare professionals is not just a job for her, it's part of everyday life. And as a result, she has developed a huge passion for helping others to deliver excellent care.
Find out more about THC Primary Care and follow me on Twitter.