Introduction
The healthcare industry and its services are directly connected to the well-being of the population. Medical professionals and other specialists employed to manage a patient care setting work together in order to create a better, more comfortable life for the community, promote better living practices, and safeguard vulnerable populations. Because of their special role in society, healthcare organizations must devote considerable time and effort to developing effective organizational management practices. Creating a culture that supports the vision of the organization and improves standards of care is central to this process. One prime example of an effective and influential organizational strategy is the culture of excellence (CoE). For the purposes of this work, the framework of excellence will be further discussed.
Culture of Excellence Characteristics
A culture of excellence possesses a number of vital characteristics. First, a culture of excellence is capable of communicating a compelling vision. An organization using this style of management must strive for its vision to be understood and shared by all employees. It is not enough to simply have a stated vision – the vision must become a part of practice for each stakeholder, and they must be aware of that (“Culture of Excellence: The Secret To Creating A High-Performance Organization,” n.d.). This way, every worker will contribute to the process of creating a shared climate of progress and quality.
A second characteristic of CoE is the clarity of purpose. The importance of each individual’s contribution and participation must be clearly communicated. This creates a climate of commonality, allowing individuals on different levels of influence to feel like they are building change together. A sense of community and togetherness brings out a drive for more effective performance.
The third notable characteristic is a focus on high performers and the creation of an effective reward scheme. Instead of uplifting workers who find themselves unable to play their roles, an organization that employs a culture of excellence focuses on high achievers (“Culture of Excellence: The Secret To Creating A High-Performance Organization,” n.d.). Supporting those who are capable and determined to work on a shared vision of the organization is conducive to better work standards, and retaining important stakeholders. High performers feel recognized for their contribution and supported on the journey to professional excellence, while a focus on rewards gives average workers an incentive to work harder.
The next characteristic of a CoE is its ability to remain flexible while embracing change. Continuously working on expanding its options, examining relevant research, and improving the organization in accordance with its vision – all of these practices build a capacity for change (“Culture of Excellence: The Secret To Creating A High-Performance Organization,” n.d.). At the same time, fostering cooperation between employees on all levels of influence helps the organization stay resilient in the face of change challenges.
Vision, Mission, Values
For the organization, VNS Health, a commitment to core values of high-quality care and community support, and the vision of excellence is achieved. According to the organization’s website, the main goals are to “Improve the health and well-being of people through high-quality, cost-effective health care in the home and community.” The organization is a leading patient-focused healthcare practice and pioneers innovation in the healthcare space.
There are a number of core values that VNS Health espouses, including empathy, integrity, and agility Each of these values is interconnected with the organization’s approach to care, and expected to be practiced by every employee. The collaborative nature of the medical work at VNS Health spreads the values of the organization and enables the transformation of the healthcare field. All of these practices support a vision of excellence, through creating and communicating a clear vision, engaging stakeholders, and building a capacity for change.
Leadership Strategies
There are a number of leadership strategies that can work well in enabling a culture of excellence. First, leadership must establish effective, interconnected, and timely communication. For professionals who directly cooperate in the process of healthcare delivery, gaining access to efficient communication channels is vital. It allows the healthcare delivery process to be quicker and less expensive (Miller, n.d.). Another important consideration in managing a vision of excellence is conflict mitigation. With a focus on high performers and a result-oriented environment, it is possible for workplace tensions to occur. A qualified and capable leader must be able to mitigate the conflict between any two parties, make individuals feel heard and respected, and deliver necessary change. Only by allowing conflict to be quickly extinguished is it possible to build a culture of mutual support and trust.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the creation of an excellence-based culture is an important step in enabling healthcare providers to support the population. Establishing a common vision, engaging stakeholders, and rewarding good performance are all central to facilitating a workspace that will be able to answer to the needs of the many. In addition, it is also a well-developed strategy to address the needs of the organization itself, including profits, operational efficiency, and self-improvement. Leaders, stakeholders, and shareholders are all able to collectively benefit from the introduction of an excellence-based model.
References
Culture of Excellence: The Secret To Creating A High Performance Organization. (n.d.). Leadership Development Company & Corporate Training Consultant. Web.
Miller, R. (n.d.). 7 Strategies for Creating a Culture of Excellence. Startup Weekly. Web.