Eat THAT Cookie!: Make Workplace Positivity Pay Off...For Individuals, Teams, and Organizations

Holy Cross, I was asked to speak at our hospital's department head meeting. The ED had gotten into the 90th percentile

But we learned something in the ED during those 90 days. You know what it was? People will respond to insincere kindness!

Focusing on service does not make the job more difficult. It makes it more rewarding.

“Would you like this stethoscope? How about a blood pressure cuff?” It was working already, but Anne didn't know it yet. Around lunchtime the curiosity had gotten the best of me, so I called her to see how

in my years working in the healthcare

bug us, we can't ever have a good day. We get as much negativity in our departments as we are willing to accept. And I believe that in healthcare, from top to bottom, we are far too accepting of negativity in the workplace. I don't think it is okay for some staff members to come into work every day in a bad mood just because the work is hard. After

thinking. Or at least, that's what I always hear when I bring up the subject during my speeches. People tell me accountability isn't part of their company culture. Or they say HR won't let them. To that I say, “Wrong!

Focusing on service makes the job better. It makes people feel proud about their work. It makes for a much more positive work environment. And that's what we need in healthcare.

she doesn't understand why the nurse is upset with her. All she sees is someone who is unfriendly. I had to beg my ED staff for one month not to get mad at mothers who don't check their child's temperature (There are a lot of them!) before bringing them into the ED. Judging hurts you! It makes life harder for you. If you can't make a difference in