This week in our new series Virtual Voices, Leadership Foundation alums heard from health care leaders on the impact of COVID-19 on their organization, how they’re leading their teams through this crisis and how to prepare for the short-term while keeping their eyes on the future.
Virtual Voices aims to keep alums informed and engaged as our community works through this challenging time. We’ll hear from alums on the front lines of impacted industries as they share their knowledge, perspectives and leadership lessons, and have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with these leaders.
A trio of leaders from Children’s Hospital Colorado were our Virtual Voices this week.
- Jena Hausmann, president and CEO
- Pat Givens, senior vice president, chief nursing officer and chief nurse executive
- Michelle Lucero, senior vice president, chief administrative officer and general counsel
Check out our key takeaways and the video below on how they’re leading through COVID-19.
Find the balance between optimism and reality. It’s important for leaders to strike a balance between optimism and reality to keep their teams energized and informed. Finding the right balance allows for teams to be able to make tough decisions and prepare for the long term.
Take time for gratitude. It’s important to take time to recognize your team’s work, especially when you are in an industry with employees who are on the front lines of this crisis. Thank them and check-in on your team. One way to do so is to share stories of success as often as possible to keep your team connected.
Authentic communication builds trust. Being transparent with your team and managing information in real time reduces that panicked feeling and prepares your team. It’s also important to acknowledge fear and provide the right information to stop the spread of misinformation.
We’re in this together. We’re in this for the long haul and we’ll need leaders to step up. It’s a good time to give opportunities to up-and-coming leaders to show their strengths. Also pace yourselves. Recognize stress and exhaustion in team members and yourself. Be kind to each other.
Support our community’s health and your families. This is a time to check-in on yourself, your family and your community. There are mental health resources available to help us all through this challenging time. You can support our community by donating blood or thanking a health care professional. Want to thank a professional with your fellow Leadership Foundation alums? Sign-up for the virtual thank-a-thon, April 20-24 to write notes to frontline community members. And, don’t forget to socially distance and wash your hands.
Join us for an upcoming Virtual Voices. Check out our upcoming programs.
