Two Words with Massive Impact

I a huge fan of Becker's Healthcare Review. A recent article in their leadership section featured comments from 62 CEOs and CFOs about their focus for 2025. I did what many do now and asked AI to tease out the major themes across all the comments. They are:

• Enhancing physician wellness
• Transforming the patient experience
• Embracing innovation and technology
• Fostering a culture of accountability
• Strengthening community partnerships
• Preparing for future challenges

Each of these objectives requires a focus or, in most cases, a change in routine behaviors. But that's the conventional approach - one taken time and time again and yet we find ourselves years later seeking the same thing. We try new "seeds" without fundamentally changing the soil - our mindset. Mindset is the "soil" of the human condition. It's the first thing a leader should address.

Not all "mindset" training is created equal. There are so many contextual uses of the term as to be heartily confusing for any leader or organizational development practitioner. However, The Arbinger Institute’s Outward Mindset approach is distinctive in its range of impact. When one's mindset is inward, often unconsciously self-focused, even "correct" behaviors are resisted. Communication is inauthentic and rote. When one's mindset is outward, human connection and resulting behaviors are authentic, engendering the kind of trust that intrinsically drives new behaviors and new results. Thus, the focus areas are impacted as follows:

Enhancing physician wellness is crucial, and an outward mindset encourages healthcare professionals to see their colleagues as people with their own needs and challenges, fostering a supportive environment. This perspective can reduce burnout and improve overall job satisfaction. When physicians feel valued and understood, they are more likely to provide compassionate care, directly transforming the patient experience to be more warm and inviting.

Embracing innovation and technology is another critical focus area. An outward mindset promotes collaboration and open-mindedness, essential for integrating new technologies and innovative practices in a way that focuses on the end-user impact. By valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging teamwork, healthcare organizations can more effectively implement cutting-edge solutions that enhance patient care and operational efficiency. Additionally, fostering a culture of accountability becomes more attainable as individuals with an outward mindset are more likely to take responsibility for their actions and contribute positively to the organization’s goals. Leaders are taught not just to be better at "holding people accountable," but better at developing accountable people.

Strengthening community partnerships and preparing for future challenges are also vital. The outward mindset encourages healthcare leaders and staff to engage with community stakeholders genuinely, understanding their needs and working together to address them. This collaborative approach can lead to stronger, more resilient healthcare systems capable of adapting to future challenges. By focusing on the well-being of both internal and external stakeholders, healthcare organizations can build a more sustainable and responsive healthcare environment.