LeadershipFab Change DayDoathon Report

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”John C. Maxwell

@helenbevan

IntroductionHundreds of leaders from the health and care system made pledges for Fab Change Day, 13th October 2016. As a result, “leadership” was identified as one of the five key themes at the Fab Change Day Do-athon.A group of 26 people from across the health and care system came together to identify actions that leaders could take all year round, not just on one day to make a difference in health and care.

“I pledge to get as many execs and non-execs as

possible to visit the wards during Fab Change Week

and dine with the patients; I will also try to get this challenge repeated at

least monthly.”

 

“I will develop a local leadership

programme that will bring clinicians,

managers and social care colleagues

together”

 

“I pledge to continue building links between

trainees and senior leaders through

increased opportunities including mentoring”

What is the issue?

The team started by thinking how they would design a system of leadership that would deliberately fail. They then compared that to the current situation and identified lots of similarities between the route to failure and what actually happens.

flickr / dexflu

Our approachThe group wanted to highlight and increase the visibility of positive leadership traits. In the spirit of the Academy of Fabulous Stuff and Fab Change Day, they created the term ‘Fab leaders’, who create the conditions where everyone can do their best; they set their team and organisations up for fab-ness.

There was a recognised need to end the mystique and fables of leadership. Instead the team wanted to make leadership simple to understand. To this end, they came up with 10 things that Fab Leaders do.

flickr / joebehr

flickr / dvids

Introduce yourself to everyoneI don’t assume that everyone knows who I am just because of my status, reputation or long standing.

See the Hello My Name is… campaign for more ideas on this topic:http://hellomynameis.org.uk/

flickr / lylevincent

Talk less, listen moreI seek understanding before I seek to be understood. That means REALLY listening AND putting my phone away.

A useful article on listening in leadership:Listening is an overlooked leadership tool

I help others to develop as leaders, letting them make mistakes and supporting them to learn from it.

Some ideas shared on the Fab site:Supporting staff innovation at Aintree HospitalNottingham Just Do-it

flickr / lesphotosdejerome

Encourage others to step up and lead

I live the values of my organisation or team in my words, actions and deeds every day.

A great idea shared on the Fab site:Lancashire CEO back to the floor

flickr / mcdermottd

Walk the talk – always

I give time to others (team members, patients and families, colleagues, staff, partners). I regard the time I invest in learning from others as at least as valuable as writing reports and answering emails

A useful article about being accessible:Great leaders are accessible

flickr / pasa

Be accessible

I acknowledge other’s contribution, say “thank you” a lot when thanks are due, and publicise and celebrate other people’s successes

Some ideas shared on the Fab site:Encouraging people to say thank you

Wall of Fabulous Thank Yous

flickr / signote

Give others credit

I don’t have all the answers; other people may have better ones. I seek out feedback and encourage diversity and dissenting views because they often lead to better results.

flickr / tristanloper

Welcome challenge

I manage the balance between exerting authority when others need certainty and direction AND trusting other people to deliver.

A great idea shared on the Fab site:Speed Dating in Wirral

flickr / bayareabias

Work out when to intervene and when to leave

I remain positive and engaged even if I’m having a really bad day. I don’t impose my bad mood on other people.

Some ideas shared on the Fab site:Speed Dating in Wirral

flickr / foilman

Be consistent

I reflect on my own behaviour and performance, seek to improve it and make time for my own learning.

A great idea shared on the Fab site:Acorn badges presented as a welcome to new nurses

flickr / ben_grey

Prioritise self learning and improvement

Now: take action• Share with friends on social media:

post a link on Facebook or Twitter• Share with colleagues: do a

presentation • Be part of the conversation, use

the #doathon hashtag to keep the conversation going.

• Contact us and let us know what you’ve done on the Fab Change Day website.

Get more information and inspiration at https://fabnhsstuff.net/

flickr / iain

Created by the Fab Academy with support from the Horizons Team

@whooseshoes