Talking it through helped a San Jose pediatric unit increase morale. Pictured here, Sean Saxton, HNA/OPEIU Local 50 (left) and Shelby Lyons SEIU Local 105, discuss communication skills at a Delegate Conference workshop.
A Little Communication Goes a Long Way
A simple conversation can often fix anything—folks just want to be heard. In the pediatric department at San Jose Medical Center, morale is soaring but it wasn’t always that way. A few years back, morale sagged as people did their own thing. The team asked around and communication was the key. They opted for short, informal meetings. And anyone could call a huddle at any time. Member Patient Satisfaction scores jumped 10 percent and sick time dropped to 6.9 days per FTE in two years.
Here's What Worked
- Communicating with the team
- Asking how the team prefers to communicate or meet
- Allowing team members to earn rewards for attendance
What can your team do to improve communication among its members?
