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Stop Moaning and Face Your Problems!
Does it sometimes seem like a new problem pops up every day at your hospital? Communication problems, operations problems, money problems, people problems, scheduling problems, service problems, and morale problems. It can seem overwhelming, but let's face it--problems are just a part of life. If you learn to deal with them, you build resilience and easily clear away the obstacles that get in the way of achieving your goals.
Indicators of Trouble
If you're not sure whether or not there's trouble brewing, here are some signs:
- You or others are throwing your hands up in the air and saying, "There's no way to fix it!"
- You know you have minor problems, but you're waiting around, hoping they will simply go away. Reality check: Problems don't just go away. People do.
- People are blaming or making excuses, rather than taking responsibility. That looks like: "It's not my problem!" Or, "She's the one that caused this problem, not me." Or, "This was caused by circumstances beyond my control."
- You or your team members are using unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as procrastinating, ignoring, forgetting, pretending, numbing, or complaining.
The Cost of Avoiding the Problems
By avoiding legitimate suffering, you build layers of neurosis and eventually become less than the person you are capable of being. The enthusiasm you used to have is gone, and you have completely lost touch with what inspires you.
When you aren't inspired, you don't move in the direction of accomplishing your goals. And neither does anyone else, by the way, because you aren't acting as a role model or giving them the support they need. In short, ignoring your problems is a recipe for failure!
Facing Reality
To go from failure to freedom:
- Reframe your problems into opportunities.
- Stop avoiding and take them on.
Reframe Problems into Opportunities
Benjamin Franklin said, "Those things that hurt, instruct." It is for this reason that wise people learn to reframe problems as opportunities for learning rather than dreading and avoiding them.
Stop moaning, and train yourself to think, "The temporary pain and discomfort of the problem-solving process is worth the long-term benefit of permanently fixing the problem." Instead of, "This is such a headache," say, "I'm learning something new, and the hospital is getting better and better."
Take Them On
Avoiding the problem means you still have the problem the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Face reality. Yes, you'll have to take in new information. Your world view will change. That's OK! You'll live through it!
Avoid any of these behaviors or thoughts, which serve as ways to protect yourself from reality:
- "Don't talk back to me! You're challenging my authority, and I don't like it."
- "Live and let live! Why do you need to bring up these problems? Can't we all just get along?"
- "I'll deal with this problem, but you are going to pay for it later."
- "I am fragile and can't handle the challenge. Please go away."
Confronting problems is difficult, and it takes courage. But you can build the skills you need to do it successfully. For starters, read my advice here and here about confronting conflict in a positive way. Click here for what NOT to do when you in conflict--the responses that ruin relationships. You can also hire me to teach your team the skills you need to address conflict gracefully and productively.
This article is adapted from content in Shawn McVey's presentation called, "No Pain, No Gain: Solving Problems at Work." For more information about hiring Shawn to speak to your leadership team about functional problem-solving or team communication, contact Cindy Oliphant at 888-759-7191 or by email.
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Dealing with an Unethical Associate Doctor
Q:
I am a tech and work with an associate doctor, "Dr. B," who makes what I think are ethically questionable medical decisions. It happens infrequently, but often enough for me to see it as a pattern. This usually happens when he is rushed and trying to move quickly. Dr. B is very tight with the owner. If I take my concerns to her, I'm afraid she will not believe me or will take Dr. B's side. What's my next step?
A:
If you're not positive the decisions are unethical, gather more evidence and document it before proceeding. Once you are certain the decisions are unethical, confront the associate doctor directly. Unless you believe there could be a risk to your own safety when dealing with Dr. B, schedule time to speak with him at the hospital, in private.
Describe specific examples of the unethical behavior, and explain why you believe it puts the patients and the hospital at risk. Ask Dr. B to commit to stopping the behavior. If he won't agree to change, tell him you have no choice but to take the problem to the practice owner. Follow through and repeat what you told Dr. B.
The practice owner probably doesn't know about the ethical violations or how they are jeopardizing patients or the hospital. But if she does know about these decisions and doesn't care, you should find another job and report the violations to the state veterinary board.
Good luck!
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If you have a question you'd like Shawn to answer in a future issue of our newsletter, please reply to this email or submit the question via our website on our contact form. (We will maintain your anonymity.) Thank you!
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Shawn's Gigs
Here are Shawn's upcoming speaking and consulting engagements. For more information or to schedule services, call Cindy Oliphant at 888-759-7191, or email her .
SEPTEMBER
September 25, 2015
Zoetis
San Antonio, TX
Private Speaking Engagement
September 27, 2015
Calgary Academy of Veterinary Medicine
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Speaking Engagement
Topics: Crystal Clear Communication
The 4 Social Styles Hard at Work
Service 101: Building Client Relationships
Service 201: How to Focus on the Client
OCTOBER
October 3-4, 2015
Colorado Veterinary Medical Association
Durango, CO
Topics: Essential Strategies for Coping with Boot-lickers, Buzz-saws, and Other Difficult People
Breaking It Down: The 10-10-10 of Client Service
Wow Them with Winning Service: Turning Policies into Standards
Lead, Manage, or Get Out of the Way
October 8-9, 2015
VMG 17
Las Vegas, NV
Private Speaking Engagement
Topics: Pathway Planning
Emotional Intelligence
October 15-16, 2015
Long Island Veterinary Specialists
Plainview, NY
Private Consulting Engagement
October 29, 2015
Zoetis
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Private Speaking Engagement
NOVEMBER
November 8, 2015
Associate Veterinary Clinics
Ottawa, ON, Canada
Private Speaking Engagement
November 10-23, 2015
Platinum Veterinary Alliance
Sydney, Australia
Private Speaking Engagement
DECEMBER
December 3, 2015
CVC San Diego
Topics: Emotional Intelligence: Taking Your Leadership Up a Notch
Calm, Cool, and Collected: Dealing with Conflict Like a Pro
How to Build Your A-Team
Lead, Manage, or Get Out of the Way
Own It, Work It, Live It: From Manager to Leader
December 9-11, 2015
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA
Private Consulting Engagement
JANUARY
January 26-27, 2015 VMG 17 Minneapolis, MN Private Speaking Engagement
Topics: Pathway Planning
Emotional Intelligence
January 30, 2016 Onatrio Veterinary Medical Association Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto
Topics: Attitude Matters Wow Them With Winning Service What To Do When You Can't Say Yes Building Client Relationships ow to Focus on the Client Managing The Service Puzzle
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Contact Us
Shawn McVey, MA, MSW
Chief Executive Officer
Based in Austin, Texas
Phone: 888-759-7191
Fax: 888-759-7193
For information and scheduling, please contact Cindy Oliphant at 888-759-7191, or email her .
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