HOW CEOs CAN IMPROVE PERFORMANCE, ONE SIMPLE IDEA

Short on time? Click below to listen to Stacey’s newsletter.

🎙️LISTEN NOW

I read an article this morning about how to get better outcomes. The big idea was that rather than focusing on changing the outcomes, focus on changing the system that creates the outcomes.

In the early 2000’s surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London were concerned about infant mortality rates for patients following successful cardiac surgery. The problems seemed to be during the transfer of the babies from the operating theatre into the ICU for post-surgery care. 

Enthusiastic F1 fans, some of these surgeons were inspired by the F1 pit crews. They recognized the level of extreme teamwork and repetitive precision that was achieved in only a few seconds. Compared to the handover process that was being used in their surgery to ICU process which often encountered technical errors, missing equipment and a lack of role clarity … like a very disorganised pit stop.

These surgeons recognised an opportunity to create better outcomes by changing the system. A group flew to Italy in 2003 and worked with the Ferrari F1 team to develop and practice a new system. Clear roles for every on the transfer team. A designated team leader. No chatter, only essential communication. Equipment prepped, in specific locations, double checked and with spares available. Preparation for ‘when things go wrong’ scenarios.

The results from changing the system were a 66% reduction in errors, and a smoother transfer for these tiny patients, resulting in a much lower mortality rate. This approach has since been adopted in hospitals all over the world with similar results.

Sometimes to get better outcomes you need to change the system. Not just get better expertise, not just be a higher performer, but change the system that is used to create the outcomes. The upshot is that 1000’s of lives have been saved.

In this age of disruption, where 45% of CEOs globally believe their organisations must reinvent to be commercially viable in the next decade, why are we sticking with outdated systems of leadership and leadership development?

This idea of changing the system caught my eye because I believe right now our system of creating leaders and leadership is not creating the outcomes we need. Yes, we do have some good leaders, we have some well-equipped leaders, but we do not have enough. The global leadership landscape is concerning.

There is a gap between the leaders we have and the leaders we need.

Imagine what would happen in our organisations if we cast the net a whole lot wider and said, why not give everybody leadership skills?

I believe we have an opportunity to change the system and consider all our people as leaders. To offer everyone leadership skills and development, to provide opportunities for our people to realise their leadership potential. Leadership of self, of ideas, of their teams, of programs of work. We need to change the system and create better outcomes. More real leaders. 

I’d love to know your thoughts.

p.s. Find out more in my upcoming book, CONFLUENCE: Averting the Global Leadership Crisis, The Vital Role of Real Leaders.

#thecoachingleader #leadershipcoach #executivecoach #leadership #leaderascoach #thenewleader #selfleadership #selfcoaching #firstleadyourself #linkedintopvoices #staceyashley #ashleycoaching #amazonbestseller #speaker #author #leadershipdevelopment #management #showup21 #powerup #youreonmute #professionalwomen #personaldevelopment

ENJOYED THIS ARTICLE?

HAVE THEM DELIVERED WEEKLY TO YOUR INBOX.