 In This Issue: News You Can Use-Stress Solutions Communication Corner-Dealing with Mergers and Acquisitions Employees Matter-Tackling Toxic Attitudes Just for Fun-Top 10 Reasons to Become a Nurse How to subscribe or unsubscribe from our newsletter Free Articles for Your Publications We have many articles available for reprint in your company publications, newsletters, etc. You are welcome to use articles appearing in SOLUTIONS or on our websites, but you must print articles in their entirety with our copyright, © 2005 Maun-Lemke, LLC, include a by-line at the top credits and place our contact information as noted below at the end of each article. We would appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy upon publication. Thanks for your interest. Maun-Lemke, LLC 8031 Center Road, Suite 222 Omaha, NE 68124 800-356-2233 402-391-5540 Fax 402-391-1025 We need your success stories! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Free video! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ We need your success stories on implementing team-based self-scheduling in your facility. The first 5 facilities with great stories will receive a free video. E-mail us at Clintmaun@aol.com! ********************** News You Can Use" Stress Solutions ********************** Stress Solutions Believe it or not, any sort of change can make you feel stressed" even good change. Things that may be stressful include being laid off from your job, your child leaving home, the death of your spouse, divorce or marriage, an illness, a job promotion, or having a baby. Indeed a variety of things can cause stress. However, it's not the change or event itself, but how you react to it that matters. It's Different For Everybody What may be stressful is different for each person. For example, one person may not feel stressed by retiring from work, while another may feel extremely stressed in this situation. How Can I Reduce Stress? The first step is to learn to recognize when you're feeling stressed (early warning signs of stress are listed to the right). The next step is to find a way to deal with your stress. How to Deal with Stress These tips are not inclusive, nor are they necessarily meant to be implemented all at once; try to gradually incorporate them into your life where possible. - Add something beautiful to your life on a daily basis (e.g., flowers). - Make time for the activities you enjoy. - Walk, work, and eat at a relaxed pace. - Eat well-balanced meals and get enough sleep. - During the day, whenever you remember, notice the tension in your body (jaw, neck, shoulders, etc.). Breathe deeply and gently stretch and relax any tense areas. - If you notice your mind racing or worrying about the past or future, take a minute to breathe deeply and gently focus on something in the moment such as the scenery, the weather, etc. - Don't worry about things you can't control. - Ask for help from friends, family or professionals. - Avoid holding in feelings day after day, instead, find a safe place to express and embrace them. - Split large, stressful tasks into small pieces and perform a small amount of work on a regular basis (if possible). Remember" Occasional challenges, both physical and psychological, are not unhealthy for most people. Arguments, difficulties with children, difficulties at work etc. are a normal part of life. These types of stresses are normal and can actually be strengthening. The goal is not necessarily to avoid all stressful events, but to develop the ability to relax during day-to-day activities and during challenging occurrences. ********************** March Product Specials: ********************** Save $70 on Proven Solutions until April 30, was $197 now $127! Proven Solutions -- $127 http://www.clintmaun.com/products/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22&products_id=33 Clint's 8 program cassette tape setof Best Practices represents the best of his consulting projects. With Proven Solutions is: * "Team-Based Scheduling: How to Get Employees to Show Up for Work" * "Implementing the 'One Great Unit' Concept" * "Handling Interdepartmental, Intershift and Interpersonal Turf Wars" * "Immediate Action for Negative Attitudes" * "Setting Up Employee Self-Control Systems" * "Unleashing Productivity" * "Achieving Personal Balance on a Day-to-day Basis" * "Running Truly Successful Meetings" No-BMG 14 oz. Thermal Coffee Mug with Thumbslide Lid -- $9.97 http://www.clintmaun.com/products/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=83 "No Bellyaching" "No Moaning" "No Groaning" Clint uses these as a fun way to remind people that no problem should be brought up without solution options. Spread the word! We offer a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, which means if we do not meet your expectations, we'll make it right or you don't pay us. It's that simple and we're confident we'll exceed your expectations. ********************** "Nothing is permanent in this wicked world - not even our troubles." " Charlie Chaplin ********************** Communication Corner" Dealing with Mergers and Acquisitions ********************** Things are always changing in the healthcare profession, but few events cause as much stress, confusion, and uncertainty in an employee's life as a merger or acquisition. Although you can't totally eliminate the uncomfortable feelings that accompany such a big transformation, there are things you can do to help you and your employees cope with these rapid changes. Here is a checklist to follow: Ask for Information. During a merger or acquisition, you and your colleagues will have an incredible thirst for more information. Uncertainty will cloud the workplace, and employee questions will seem never ending. During a merger surviving employees may be wondering: Why did this happen? Is the company in trouble? So, address whoever is in charge of the company newsletter and suggest that they feature articles or perhaps send out a memo that address these issues. This type of communication can play a crucial role in answering questions and eliminating uncertainty. Be aware of what you say. In the event of a merger or acquisition, you're going to be bombarded with questions from co-workers, friends, and family. Prepare yourself for such inquiries. Know what information you can share and don't divulge details that breach confidentiality. While it may be difficult, don't make negative or cynical comments about the acquiring company, since judgmental statements may hurt you in the future. Adapt, adapt, adapt. If your healthcare organization is acquired, you must accept your new roles as well your new employer. Hanging on to the past, instead of focusing on what's happening now will make the transition more difficult. Remember, you can respect your previous employer and still develop a positive and loyal relationship with your new owner. Stay positive. Assume a leadership role and help employees pull together for the new situation. Demonstrate your helpful and positive attitude by not taking part in office gossip. This only results in the spreading of incorrect information, which demoralizes others and reflects poorly on you. Remember that some things will remain constant. Job descriptions and titles may change, but what's required of a good employee remains the same. Healthcare organizations need knowledgeable professionals who can deal with change, save time, and improve efficiency. If you're interested in staying for the long haul, show your new employer your willingness to meet these needs. While such big changes undoubtedly cause stress, it's important to remember that there are some things that you simply can't control. However, by sticking to the steps above, you should be able to maintain a clear focus, thus helping you and your co-workers make the most out of the situation. "Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight." " Benjamin Franklin Employees Matter" Tackling Toxic Attitudes You've experienced it. We've all experienced it. The employee who complains, threatens, and yells. The employee whose bad mood infects the entire office. Quite simply, some people make life for everyone else in the workplace rotten. These kinds of attitudes can't be left unaddressed. After all, it's unhealthy, unproductive, and will eventually undo efforts to create a healthy, happy, and progressive workplace. With so much emphasis on communication, interaction, and valuing people, you may be asking yourself "how can toxic employees still exist?" While there's no one encompassing answer, in large part, it's because the bottom lines allow it. In other words, companies often don't have a means of rating employees outside of productivity. Often times, things such as attitude and ability to work with others aren't accounted for. However, this is still no excuse to tolerate such behavior. Confronting the Problem Head-On There's really no way around it, to eliminate toxic attitudes, you're going to have to confront the disgruntled employee. Sit down with this person, and tell him or her about the problem. Don't package it in vague terms, like saying the employee should try to work on being more upbeat. Be as specific as you can. If the employee has a quick temper and yells at other employees, then explain that this behavior must be stopped and why. Remain professional, but do be firm, and tell the employee that future performance will be noted. Other Tips to Keep in Mind To help ensure that the individual is on the right track to behavior change, it's helpful to incorporate a few additional strategies. For example, set a time period for improvement. Addressing this during a goal-setting session is a good idea. And remember to stay positive about the matter. These kinds of individuals often don't take criticism very well. Try to present this as a way for the employee to improve and enhance their performance. Training may also be necessary. In many cases, the employee simply doesn't have the correct tools to modify their behavior. There are seminars and classes for everything from anger management to accounting. Also, consider offering employee assistance programs (EAPs). Sometimes a person's main issues are emotional, alcohol or drug related, and counseling can help. Moving Forward Once you've addressed your current toxic employees, you'll want to make sure that you don't get any more. To do so, make sure job descriptions include treating employees in a dignified and appropriate manner. Highlight behaviors that won't be tolerated under any circumstance. This not only makes your healthcare organization's stance very clear, it also emphasizes the importance of treating people well. ********************** Just for Fun-Top 10 Reasons to Become a Nurse ********************** 1. Pays better than McDonald's (though the hours aren't as good.) 2. Fashionable shoes and cute uniforms. 3. Needles: tis better to give than to receive. 4. Confidence in reassuring patients that all bleeding stops ... eventually. 5. Opportunity to expose yourself to rare, exotic, and exciting new diseases. 6. Interesting aromas. 7. Courteous and infallible doctors who always leave clear orders in perfectly clear handwriting. 8. Enough charting to navigate around the world. 9. Celebration of holidays with all your friends ... at work. 10. Comfort in the knowledge that most of your patients survive no matter what you do to them. |