Tara Humphrey, MBA

Engaging staff and informing them of budget constraints is key. They need to understand what is happening and the impact on the business/ service. Engagement is the key word here rather than just informing them, as your team may have some suggestions to help navigate the business through this challenging period and help you prioritise what is fundamental to running a safe service and deprioritise other things.

Resistance is normal and to be expected and during significant times of change, the level of communication required is not to be underestimated. Failing to communicate effectively will be at your peril, so it's wise to have a strategy in place. The vision and rationale for the change must be clear, and the leadership team must be on the same page and constantly reiterating the same message in various ways to recognise staff's different needs. Newsletters, videos, podcasts, webinars, in-person meetings, staff conferences, staff policies, website copy etc must all be aligned. Most importantly, as a leader, you must remain visible, calm and composed, especially when people vocalise their resistance to change.

Using your personal drive and motivation is your opportunity to shine in your interview. This is your chance to share a (succinct) story that shows a personal connection to why you want to work in the field of healthcare and make a difference. Your story may be driven by a positive or negative experience, but tie it to the role you are applying to and, most importantly, be honest. Communicating your drive, experiecne, and understanding of the challenging aspects of healthcare and how you want to show up as a manager will most definitely enhance your interview.

One way to get the most from technology is to become a consumer of it and learn how to use it beyond the basic training. Also, asking the following questions can be helpful. How easy is it to navigate? Where is it located? What is the purpose of the tech? What are the challenges with it? Etc... Speaking to others and seeing how they conduct various tasks ( if looking internally) can also aid in understanding variation and the level of adoption. It's an exciting time.

Continuous learning is key and a must for healthcare managers because of the amount of change we are experiencing is undeniable. Reading books and blogs, attending conferences and webinars, and engaging in reflective exercises are great ways to grow your skills and connect with others. Also, keeping our skills and minds sharp is a great way to lead by example.

Embracing challenges for many is tough, but we can both be scared and move forward. Sometimes, following a process can help guide our next steps and accepting things take time, and that things may feel worse before they get better. Remembering that you have faced many challenges in the past and have come out the other side should give you confidence that you have the strength, skills, and support to get through this.