There is so much to learn when we think about what motivates us to do things and in turn influences how we do things.
During the time I have spent with staff working in Out of Hours Community Nursing I have actively sought to embed the working environment within values. These shared values around person centeredness, respect, empathy, truth, quality and compassion influence our working practices, behaviour’s and outcomes. During a time of constant challenges within the NHS and the constraints these challenges bring I am surrounded by a group of individuals (the team) who go above and beyond their job description to enable the service we provide to function.
After listening to Simon Sinek’s TED talk about inspirational leaders I was inspired about his thoughts around What we do and Why we do. It confirmed my experiences, people who understand and believe in the ‘why’ make the ‘what’ better, they inspire others in this and in turn this results in more effective outcomes. Although I understood this from my observations I was interested in, if or how others understand this concept. Are there ways of introducing this into the working environment and what the benefits would be?
Our first team meeting of 2014…
I asked the team to split into pairs and gave them a task, collectively they would have 2 minutes (due to time constraints and the need to be intuitive). There would be 30 seconds to explain to their partners WHAT they do while their partner took notes and swap, and 30 seconds to explain WHY they do while their partner took notes and swap. I started the clock and the room engaged in a gush of insight as the pairs exchanged their thoughts. Although the team wanted more time, I had to be the ‘time cop’, however noting the response, I then asked the group to join together again and we went round the table sharing first WHAT their partners did and then WHY they did. Great information and insight gained for two minutes work…!
After this I then asked what was most insightful and grabbed their attention, the ‘WHAT’ or the ‘WHY’? It was unanimous, they all found that ‘WHY’ gave the inspiring answers. The team found this engaging and throughout the meeting and since the concept has been discussed.
So then…
What do I do?
I visit people in their own homes between the hours of 1700-0830 and deliver Nursing care.
Why do I do this?
– because I believe in enabling choice for people to stay in their own homes when many choices are taken from them due to illness or disability
– I believe in a person centred approach where I listen, respond and work with people to meet their needs
– I believe in respecting peoples beliefs and work with them to create an environment where they are enabled to maintain their health needs or a dignified death
– I believe in enabling an environment conducive to learning, knowledge and information sharing and support.
– I believe in co creating an honest and trusting environment where individuals can reflect effectively
– I believe in an environment where individuals feel valued and work in collaboration and participation to creatively work towards positive outcomes
So should we start thinking more about the why’s than the what’s within our daily working lives?
Can these thoughts leave our teams increasingly inspired and motivated in innovation?
The feedback received from our first team meeting of 2014 and since has suggested, yes, the team were inspired by the task and yes they are motivated in improving the service to make peoples lives better and do this daily.
It would be great to hear your thoughts…
Moy's Bit 