If you think things are changing quickly now…..buckle up!
I recently was invited to attend a full day workshop where the attendees were asked about the grand challenges in seniors care and how we might address these as we move forward. The keynote speaker, a futurist (someone who makes predictions based on future trends that they identify), predicts that the pace of change will continue to accelerate and that those of us who work in healthcare are not prepared for this. I have been thinking about this especially given all of the changes we have experienced at Bethany over the last few years. How do we prepare ourselves to keep up, let alone be a leader?
If we think about the some recent changes in society that have shifted how we have always done things, it starts to help us understand the potential magnitude of what might be coming. Think about Uber, Airbnb, and Amazon – these companies have caused a huge shift to “how we do things” (my kids laugh at me when I say I took a cab somewhere). Technology and data have fundamentally changed how people interact. We have instant access to what’s happening around the world and we are more informed about our health more than ever before.
The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) is beginning the work for our next strategic plan. As we imagine our future, we are excited to hear that employees want to work for an organization that is progressive and that is an industry leader. We are committed to embrace technology as an enabler to support our work because we know it improves both efficiency and safety. That’s why over the last couple of years we have been focused on key pieces of foundational work to ensure we are positioned to be a leader in seniors care in Alberta.
The ELT is responsible for assessing our organization’s readiness for change and putting the right supports in place to ensure we can manage our priorities. We know that at times it may feel overwhelming. There is a lot coming at us but we have to keep our eye on the big picture…. everyday excellence in all that we do. It is our passion for excellence and serving the people of Bethany that will energize us through this rapidly changing world we live and work in.
Each of you has been part of building a strong foundation for Bethany. As we look forward, we will build on this work. We live in a time of change, where those we serve expect more of us. So on those days (we all have them) when we are feeling a bit tired or overwhelmed, we should remember:
“Real failure is deliberately choosing not to stick with something you are passionate about because it is going to be too hard.”
– Z. Khayat
We are all People of Bethany and our passion is what sets us apart. Let’s continue to work together and support each other to create caring communities!
Jennifer
I welcome your comments at jennifer.mccue@bethanyseniors.com
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