For leaders: Turn “What’s in it for me?” into “What’s in it for YOU?”
By Michael “Mike” J. Jones
It seems we’ve become more self-centered and focused on personal gains and benefits, especially in today’s society. When narrowing our perspectives to “self,” we create resistance to change because our sole focus is “What’s in it for me?” (WIIFM).
The realities of our professional and personal lives are that substantive changes and transitions are the norm. For everyone. Technology and the speed of connectivity to others has accelerated the pace of these transitions. Granted, it is human nature and a fact of self-preservation to filter changes, transitions, obstacles, and other events through a lens of WWIFM.
The healthcare industry is full of rapid transition and change. As technology and techniques evolve, so does the care we deliver to patients. No one – especially patients and their families – wants healthcare to be stuck in the status quo. Healthcare should always move forward with innovation to positively benefit patient outcomes.
The bigger picture
It is imperative that healthcare leaders engage key stakeholders and constituents during periods of transition. While the leaders’ first instincts may be to ask how the pending change will affect themselves, they must recognize and set aside the blinders created by their natural instincts to ask WIIFM and focus on the needs of the organization and the needs of key stakeholders (who will be mired in WIIFM).
