This turns out to be a really great question for leaders, but it’s also a really great question for your life. When did you last ask what the “why” was for your organization? When was the last time you asked yourself “why” you’re doing the work you do? If you don’t know the answer, it’s worth taking time to consider the answer. Some of you may find out that you’re reason why isn’t sufficient and it’s time to change. Nothing wrong with change. Life is too short to be working for a “why” that doesn’t matter to you.
Joseph McClendon III is right that we can do amazing things when we have a collective reason for doing something. If you can’t find a valuable “Why” in healthcare, then I don’t know what to tell you. I get it if you’re frustrated by the health system or your employer. What I can’t understand is if you think that the goal of effective healthcare is not a great why for your life.
Frustration with the healthcare system is fine as long as it springs us to action. It’s easy to think that nothing we can do can change healthcare as we know it. If you have that view, you’re right that things will never change. Although, as my friend Andy (@cancergeek) says, we need to all change status quo to provide care at the N of 1. One person, one patient, one problem at a time. That’s something we can all do.
There’s power in thinking smaller and understanding and appreciating the little impacts we do which aggregate into a big difference.
What’s your “Why”?
