How To Change a Work System That Isn’t Working

How To Change a Work System That Isn’t Working

 

When a problem arises in any work setting, it’s often a system that’s at fault—not necessarily a person who intends to slack off on work.  For instance, lots of hospitals have running battles between pharmacy techs and floor nurses. 

 

Nurses have a need for meds to arrive on time.  Pharmacy techs (IV techs, especially) don’t get the word that meds are needed—until patients are running out.

 

As an emergency responder, you should openly enlist other workers to devise communication that works.  Get the problem out in the open—such as the need for someone to order supplies or service the ambulances regularly—long before you run out of important meds or tires start to blow out on vehicles on a call.  Use humor and a positive attitude to drive home your points.

 

These tips can work on inviting creative minds to fix a problem:

 

·         Use humor directed at yourself first.  You might say, “I know I want to keep glued to CNN when I should have my butt in the chair ordering supplies.  So, since I plead guilty to getting distracted, can the rest of you help? Can we get a system going that will create a better flow?”

 

·         Ask your supervisor how problems should be delivered.  Ask your supervisor, “Would you rather I share what’s not working face-to-face in a meeting with you?  Or, should I just state it in an email?”

 

·         Pretend you’re being videotaped.  Always write and speak thoughtfully—as if the whole world will watch you on the six o’clock news.  This way, your questions and/or suggestions won’t be offensive to anyone.

 

·         Never label a person as “the problem.”  In fact, seldom are individuals to blame when big things go wrong.  It’s usually a system—either lacking or faulty.  No one comes to work saying, “I think I’ll goof off and mess up the work environment today.”  When you blame a person, you inflame and hurt your co-workers.     

 

It can be tempting to state specifically who or what is driving you nuts, but instead, try to maturely present a problem or system that could use some fine-tuning.  By not being offensive to anyone, you can quietly bring it up until creative minds start to invent solutions.

 

Copyright 2008 Hopson Global Education and Training