Motivation is inherent in leadership. Whether or not you take the view that leaders can actually motivate someone or that they can only establish the environment for employees to BE motivated, our organizations expect us as leaders to get the most out of our employees. That’s where motivation comes in. Motivation isn’t...
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With four generations now in the workforce, and one more joining soon, understanding how to manage a multigenerational workforce has become more important than ever. Each generation ticks a little differently. All groups have preferred ways of communicating, learning, and receiving feedback, which makes managing a...
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After speaking at a convention, I typically have two or three people come up to me and say that I must be a very positive thinker. They are typically surprised when I respond by saying, “No, I definitely am not!” Considering that I am a motivational speaker, you may be scratching your head and curious as to why. I do enjoy...
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As a former emergency room physician, each time I stepped onto the ER floor, I was leading a different team. The patients, staff and challenges were different, but the fundamental leadership principles remained the same. You don’t have to be the CEO of an organization or the manager of a department to be considered a...
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Today's ultrasound technology is truly remarkable. In the past 24 years that I’ve practiced, I’ve seen ultrasound improve by leaps and bounds in its capabilities and potential to improve patient care. Contrast enhanced ultrasound, tissue harmonic imaging, elastography and other technologies have revolutionized how we see...
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Most of us who work in the healthcare field do so because we have a genuine desire to help others. We attend several years of schooling—with many more beyond that in continuing education—to learn and maintain the complex clinical skills required to care for our patients. But no one trains us for off-the-job caregiving. You...
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Spring is eight days away, but who’s counting? With the new season, you might find yourself doing a little spring cleaning. For me, it’s therapeutic. I love purging, sharing what I no longer use and adding a few seasonally appropriate pieces along the way. This mantra can apply to work, too. Whether you want to get a...
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On February 24, 2009, I had open-heart surgery to have my aortic valve replaced. About two weeks prior to my surgery, I had my annual dental checkup with my dentist, Dr. Bob Hoffman. Dr. Hoffman has been my dentist for at least 25 years. While having my dental work performed, I mentioned that I would be having open-heart...
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We’ve all been asked at a cocktail party or family reunion what we do for a living. Have you ever thought about how you respond? Do you focus on the tasks of the job or the value of the work that you do? Understanding the difference between the two and how you perceive your work can impact your on-the-job satisfaction. I...
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Have you ever said something you immediately regret? It’s a terrible feeling—the moment when you want to crawl in a hole and never come out, asking yourself, “Did I just say THAT?!” Words and actions are powerful—more than most people understand. Each of us have the capacity to make or break a person’s day, just by how we...
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In the 1950s, Humorist Victor Borge said, “Laughter is an instant vacation.” At the time, he had no idea that modern medical science would prove him right. He just instinctively knew that humor helped people feel better. Laughing has a positive influence on your mental and physical well-being. Your pattern of thinking...
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I’m not a linguist, but I find it very telling that “patient,” a person receiving medical treatment, is spelled and pronounced the same as “patient,” the ability to accept or tolerate delay or suffering without becoming annoyed. We expect a great deal of patience from our patients, especially in the emergency room. Minor...
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Are you more “task oriented” or “people oriented?” Are you more outgoing or reserved? What about your staff and patients? How are your interactions with them? About 10 years ago, I was exposed to the DISC model of human behavior. Since that time, I have made it my mission to not only “see patients” but to connect with...
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A trip into the healthcare maze can be a frightening, frustrating and lengthy experience for patients. It’s not uncommon to hear patients refrain: “Expect the worst. Hope for the best. Be prepared to wait, be uncomfortable and be ignored.” Being a healthcare provider has its own challenges as well. “How am I ever going to...
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