The eight most talked about topics in 2016

21 Dec 2016

Networking, collaborating and the sharing of ideas reveals a commonality of themes for the year about to close.

One of the great things about my job as Executive Director Leadership and Learning and a Learning Set facilitator with four Sets of my own, is I get to travel a lot and meet Health leaders, share ideas, share experience and very often, light bulb moments when an idea really resonates.

It’s of no surprise that there is a commonality of theme for all of these people, and I get to share the ideas whether I’m facilitating one of my Sets, or undertaking a review with a client’s executive team, or on a recruitment selection panel. So for 2016 the 8 most talked about themes go a little like this:

1. System Transformation and Governance
2. Organisational and Operational effectiveness
3. Structural and Service Alignment
4. Big Data, Technology and Business Intelligence Tools
5. New Models of Service
6. Clinical Governance and Safety and Quality
7. Strategic Workforce Development and Cultural Change
8. Whole of Health and Social Sector Integration

The list probably looks familiar but what is really exciting is how leaders are responding.

Take for example the chief executive I visited who has rapidly transformed their organisation (in the process going against the grain and its own history) to respond differently to the needs of people as they age.  Primarily that has been about gearing the organisation up to provide a highly individualised response so people can age in place. Or as they more eloquently describe it “stay who you are – where you are”.

That all sounds good but conversely what can happen under this approach is the unintended consequence of social isolation, loneliness and near total dependency on the service provider.

So what is really brilliant is the organisation is also doing great, ground up work to create connected neighbourhoods of natural supports.  Communities who care basically.  Hard work, technically not what they’re ‘funded’ to do, but really showing leadership in the restoration of community from a gentler time if you will.

Another great example is the chief executive whose organisation – rather than be overwhelmed by where to start in responding to people living rough, in abject poverty with complex histories and health conditions – has just started.  And started I might add by doing some things that break a few rules around “best practice”.  Initially going it alone and finding their way it has now become a whole of community response.  Not doing for, not even doing with.  When you visit this initiative it really stacks up as being person led.

They tell me blogs are supposed to be short so unfortunately I won’t have done the work of these two organisations justice. However I am sharing these examples in particular because both have really grasped the nettle in galvanising the power of the community to address some of today’s wicked problems.  And  you know what, it’s working.