Until recently, I never really thought about the underlying meaning of the comment “It’s not personal,…
Author: Karen Waninger
A few weeks ago, the entire HTM team at one of our sites was displaced due to construction (destruction?) activities in preparation for a new hospital which will open on that site in 2018. My team was challenged to condense everyone and everything into an area less than half the size of our original space.
By Karen Waninger From comics to television commercials to advice from a financial advisor, it is…
By Karen Waninger I am not an avid poker player like some others in this profession,…
Everything related to the delivery of health care in the United States is supposed to be guided by regulations and standards that are designed to assure high-quality outcomes for the patients, right? It’s a noble concept. Every manufacturer of health care devices or products, every health care organization, every provider’s office, and every service organization I have encountered during more than 20 years in this profession claims to be concerned about quality.
To be successful in this profession, and in life, it is important to be perceived as confident. From my observations and experiences, it appears that others are more likely to ignore, question or even challenge the decisions of someone who appears less than certain of his or her own course of action. Do not doubt your ability to be a contributing member of your team. Instead, take a serious look at what you can do to influence how others perceive you. The HTM profession is full of people who are analytical, maybe even cynical, and looking for anything they can question to begin with. Don’t give them any added ammunition for making you the target, especially if you are in, or aspiring to move to, a management role.
I have always believed that it’s important to keep learning. I have also come to realize the value of lessons learned through life experiences. After completing any step along the formal education path, there is always the challenge of being able to retain and effectively apply what was learned. That same concept holds true with the lasting impact from life experiences.
When I began putting thoughts together for the article for this month, I pulled out the note pad that I routinely use to jot down random ideas for topics. I reviewed my scribbles, then put the tablet back down, thinking to myself that “it just doesn’t matter.” There it was, my topic had revealed itself.
What comes to mind when you hear someone talking about the need for “transparency?” In many different environments now, that seems to be a readily accepted buzz word. Whether in government, business, or individual relationships, that word seems to somehow be tied to an image of success.
I am a fan of Clint Eastwood movies of all types, especially the old westerns. Some pieces of some movies stick in my head more than others. The first time I heard the theme song to “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” it stuck.
