Think about an individual with whom you work that bugs you. You know – the kind of person you simply wish were not around because they get on your nerves and act in a way you just don’t seem to think is okay with you. Sometimes – this is an individual you may even want to see fail or get into trouble so that they might be “re-assigned” or – better yet – fired. You have somebody in mind – right?
IT COULD BE YOU
Do you believe there is any remote chance that somebody, where you work, might think the same of you?
So what do we do to remedy this circumstance – say they do? Do we all really have to get along? Do we all have to love each other at work?
THE CHRISTMAS CARD LIST TEST
John Chamberlin – who began his career as a paramedic/firefighter then progressed to become a flight medic and manager at one of our nation’s leading Critical Medical Aviation providers – a co-founders of ThinkThroughTools and a brilliant and reasonable professional (those two often do not happen at the same time) had outstanding advice for those he would manage at his full-time job and for our clients that were Outreach Coordinators / Business Development Managers (or similar titles.)
He would clarify to them, “We don’t have to be on each other’s Christmas card lists – but – when we are at work – we must treat each other with dignity and respect and do the work demanded of us putting petty differences aside.” This simply makes good sense. And – far too often employers over-pressure employees to “be like family.”
HEO: HELP EACH OTHER
My wife – Emilia – another brilliant and reasonable individual that is a long-time practitioner in the field of Occupational Therapy has another method on which to focus at work and in life; HEO. This stands for Help Each Other. Why are we married? At the most fundamental level, “HEO – To help each other.” Makes sense. When we are at work – what should we do with our fellow workers, “HEO – Help Each Other.”
HIGH CRITICALITY – HIGH CONSEQUENCES – HIGH RELIABILITY
In our field, Critical Medical Aviation – stakes are high. We are entrusted to respond to and intervene on the behalf of individuals that are at the limits or far beyond the scope of their practice or resources and responsible and accountable to care for individuals that – very often – are on the brink of survival. We operate in a high-criticality, high-consequences, high-reliability eco-system. Therefore we must function – at all times – at the top of our game. We cannot let petty personal differences or dislikes between fellow employees dull the sharpness and precision of our practices.
NON-NEGOTIABLE HEO
As I reflected upon John’s and my wife Emilia’s wisdom – I decided to evoke their powerful and practical beliefs into this motto for clients in our field;
WHEN ON THE JOB; WE DON’T HAVE TO LOVE EACH OTHER – WE DO HAVE TO HELP EACH OTHER. THAT IS NON-NEGOTIABLE!
So – the next time you are heading to work – dreading “that guy” or “that girl” with whom you have to do a 12-hour shift. Try getting into the mindset of HEO. Because if you truly commit to this – there will be much less chance that you will be distracted, dulled or delayed in your thinking when others are counting on you. When others are trusting you to provide them with the highest probability of a positive outcome. Which is our duty – our charge. One of high honor and purpose.
Now – I just got “assigned” to cut vegetables… (when I’d rather be working on an innovation process map) time to remember – “It’s my wife. We must HEO.” Got it.
On February 20th, 2018 we launch our Flight Request Stimulator on-line learning program to help professionals in our field to earn and stimulate flight requests. HEO and much more are covered in detail. To learn more – please be in touch: [email protected] or 330.623.5910.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.