Highlights

Leaders from around the region gathered for a conversation about leadership and creating excellence. We began with some highlights from Larry Jensen & Darren Childs regarding key elements contributing to excellence at Rutland Regional Medical Center (and other organizations they have been a part of).

Larry spoke about the critical importance of creating alignment and engagement in an organization. A clear organizational direction helps to create alignment. Larry conveyed the importance of a planning process that is real; a planning cycle that: examines the environment and its shifts, sets a clear and compelling direction for the organization, and then genuinely guides the organization. Larry also mentioned the importance of bringing the customers’ perspective into the heart of the planning process.

Darren built off of that by talking about how Rutland Regional has used its planning cycle, its understanding of customers’ needs, and results-focused leadership to further accelerate excellence. Darren spoke about the importance of its vision, clear mission, and organizational values that together provide a compass for making decisions.
We expanded the conversation from there, talking about consistency and how it contributes to organizational improvement. We had a good conversation about creating a staff climate that embodies the values of the organization. As a group, we had a dialogue about hiring for values, character, and key attributes rather than for skill. Skills can be taught.

“Fit” in hiring (and dare I also say in promotions) is essential for excellence to take hold. When there is a misfit between an organization’s and employee’s needs, a variety of things can result, including turnover, satisfaction without engagement, and lack of long-term trust. ‘Fit’ is a two-way street. A key part of being an excellent leader and organization is attracting, retaining, and developing people who are a great fit, including and especially with your organization’s values. Great things can result.

We also began a conversation about how to understand what truly motivates employees to deliver excellence. In a recent conversation I had with Tom Huebner, he also elaborated on what they discovered at Rutland Regional from talking to employees about what motivates and engages them. This realization has fueled excellence at RRMC. You will find some additional gems from the recorded conversation I had recently with Tom Huebner. Have a listen to the conversation here at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvUUHr9fDEs . Tom and I talked about the organization’s ambitious vision, his personal transformation as a leader, and some pearls of wisdom.

Time flew by, and we did not have time to finish the many conversations we started at the Transformative Leaders breakfast. Certainly creating excellence is a topic that could (and does) fill hours, days, and years of meaningful discussion. Participants shared their thoughts about topics they are interested in discussing at future executive breakfast events like this. We will look to get- together a few times each year and welcome other transformative leaders to the conversation.
Kathy Letendre Letendre & Associates