Could Star Wars fix the healthcare workforce issues?
OK, well for starters, this is definitely a ‘do’ over ‘do not’ moment. And regardless of what Yoda has to say, we have to try.
Communities value and rely on a functioning healthcare system, and populations hold the people that work in healthcare in high regard, yet we are facing issues of poor retention, vacancies, burnout, and daily crisis management that has the workforce depleted and exhausted. This sits alongside increasing demand, complexity, and restructuring and that’s not even factoring COVID-19 into the situation.
We are at a point where people are thinking, working and living differently and the way healthcare works for the people who work in it, has to meet that changing world.
When in doubt I’ll put a Star Wars movie on, feeling sad, its Star Wars, tired and need comforting, yep, Star Wars. When I was growing up I had 3 movies to choose from. Now there are so many, even I’m confused. What there is though is wisdom, let’s take a look at how Star Wars would tackle the issues.
“Rebellions are built on hope”
First up, we have to have hope. Hope is not a flighty feeling, it’s a committed belief to achieving what you want to achieve. Not necessarily knowing how you’ll get there, but believing that you will. Have faith that change is possible. Let’s start a rebellion.
“These are not the droids you’re looking for”
Jedi mind tricks might work, but this is about the feelings we’re creating in those around us. How do make staff feel that they are on the right track? How are managers showing and giving regular meaningful appreciation to their people?
“Wars do not make one great. ”
Let’s drop the war talk and analogies. We are in an infinite game here, we’re not playing a game of two sides. Noone wants to feel embattled, or that going to work is a fight.
“I am no Jedi, but I know the force”
We don’t have to have all the answers or know everything. If anything the change we need will be by us all putting down the pretence of what we are trying to be and knowing our strengths and being able to play to them. The thing is, no one style or personality, or one style of leader is going to solve this situation. We all have a part to play, and those parts will be different AND work together. Know your part, know your strengths and believe that they are making up the whole.
This isn’t the time for swim lane fighting either, if I’m drowning in work and you can help, get over here, I’ll take that help.
“Your focus determines your reality.”
If everyone from the senior leaders to the nurse on the floor is working in the details, on the dancefloor and fighting today’s fires, we are going to still be putting out the same fires 12 months from now. Given we have different parts to play - focus on that - trust others to do the job you hired them to do.
“The ability to speak does not make you intelligent.”
Maybe harsh here, but give everyone a voice, not just the loud ones who keep talking. Believing that the people with the confidence and speak up have the good or right ideas means you are missing out. What’s not being said? Who isn’t in the room? Are you hearing from the same people over and over. That quiet soul in the corner who’s been quietly saying their thing for years maybe onto something if you give them some attention. Listen and learn young padawan.
“Never tell me the odds.”
He’s about to navigate through an asteroid field. Sound like your day? Buckle up and let’s step up and do this.
“That’s how we’re gonna win. Not fighting what we hate, saving what we love.”
We do this for a reason. We have a phenomenal purpose that can bring us all together to make working in healthcare the best jobs in the world. When, at your most vulnerable and scared you are on the receiving end of connected compassionate care it is magical and life changing.
