Ready, Steady, Make it Happen!
Ross Perot once said that opportunity comes to those who are able to change the rules on the competition. In the area of Long Term Care operations there is always a need to bring about fresh ideas. Unfortunately, many executives think innovation means coming up with totally new strategies without working through the details to execute the approaches. As a result, the right change stumbles and opportunities get lost while people debate the strategy. Let’s be clear, ideas are a dime a dozen because it is what you do with an idea that makes the difference. Many times it’s not the smartest approach or the best regulation that creates opportunities but a series of small actions that reinforces the direction for big results.
My Granddad used to always say –“don’t tell me how great an idea is – show me action.” While having the right plan is essential, every journey of opportunity starts out with small measurable steps. Staff members and residents at facilities are motivated when they see things happen they can relate to as examples of positive change. Instead of making big leaps in the beginning of a new program look for milestones that can be noticeably accomplished early in the process. When facilities complete little things to make a service better residents are more inclined to support more broad ranging changes that enhance the total system. The key is to overcome inertia and build momentum that everyone can recognize and contribute. However, once progress is accomplished it must be maintained as there are only two rules to making great things happen: one is to begin and the other is to continue.
The Point: When you get ready to launch a big innovation – focus on making little things happen first to build a stable platform for big changes to improve the quality of resident care and operations.
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