Post on 19-Dec-2015
Case Management&
Crucial Communication
Objectives
• Identify the elements of a crucial conversation.• Identify different styles of communication.• Learn generational differences and how that
knowledge can improve your communication.
“We know that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to discuss it with employees.”
- Supervisor, Fortune 100 Company
Definition of aCrucial Conversation
A discussion between two or more people where:
• Stakes are high • Opinions vary • Emotions run strong
Why Increase Your Focus on Communication?
Improved Communication
• Increases customer satisfaction scores.• Decreases patient mortality.• Improves staff perception of:
• Unit conflict management. • Collaboration amongst the team. • Staff quality. • Overall quality of patient care.
The Static of Communication
What causes the static?
Communication that is being delivered is not the same as, or connected with, the message being received.
Causes of Static Communication
• Ambiguity• Confusion• Inconsistency• Conflict• Distrust
What contributes to the static?
Technology that was meant to improve and ease communication has inadvertently created miscommunication.
Barriers to crucial conversation
• PDAs (i.e. Blackberries) used in meetings. • Personal conversations in public areas.• Speaker phones in public areas.• Ringing cell phones.• Co-workers behaviors (loud talking).• Micro-managing.• Public reprimands.• BEING SPOKEN TO IN A CONDESCENDING
MANNER.
Communicating Through Technology
•E-Mail •Cell Phones
•Text Messaging •Pagers
•Voicemail
Communicating Through Technology
• Email• Use of all capitals can be misinterpreted as
being angry.• Misuse of exclamation points• Misspellings - No use of spell check• Font size
• Text Messaging• Use of abbreviated words• Misspellings
Communicating Through Technology
• Voicemail– No out of office message.– Message too lengthy.– No information about how to reach for emergency.
• Cell Phones– Weak cell phone signals.– Dropped calls.
• Pagers– No response. Is that deliberate or did the page go
through?
Communication is a two-way process
We need to think of communication as an
outcome.
At a minimum, our objective should be for others to
understand ours.
Communication
in a
Caring Context
Communication Using Caring Behaviors
• Warmth• Respect• Empathy• Genuineness• Trust
Communication Using Caring Behaviors (Cont’d)
• Essential to the practice of healthcare.• Are team members focused?• Does not involve more time.• Promotes health.
Communication Using Caring Behaviors (Cont’d)
• Need to cultivate a sensitivity to one’s self and
others.• Builds relationships of trust.
Communication Styles
• Passive• Aggressive• Assertive
Passive Style of Communication
Passive Style
• Stems from fear, timidity, inhibition, feelings of helplessness.
• Stems from fear of rejection.• Leads to internalized anger and tension.
Passive Style (Cont’d)
• Can lead to internalized anger and tension.
• Problems are not faced or solved.• Suppresses feelings.
Aggressive
Communication
Aggressive Style
• Can take unfair advantage of others.• Can be used to intimidate.• May be used when angry and thus could be
construed to be anger.
Assertive Communication
Assertive Style (Cont’d)
• Communication is direct when there is a problem.
• Builds trust.• Does not infringe on anyone else’s rights• Creates a win-win outcome.• Values self and others.
Negative Outcomes of “Out of Control Conflict”
• Relationships are damaged.• Discourages cooperation.• Results in defensiveness and hidden
agendas.• Wastes time, money, and human resources.
Negative Outcomes of “Out of Control Conflict” (Cont’d)
• Focuses on fault finding and blaming others.• Creates enemies, hard feelings, and hostility.• Is frustrating, stress producing, and energy
draining.
Negative Outcomes of “Out of Control Conflict” (Cont’d)
• Is often loud, hostile, and chaotic.• Leads to burn-out.• Leads to lack of collaboration.• Results in poor quality patient care.• Encourages gossip.• Impedes professional growth.
Negative Outcomes of “Out of Control Conflict” (Cont’d)
• Can lead to destructive behaviors.• Can lead to frequent job changes.• Can lead to mistrust within the team.• Staff leave.
Words to Live By
• Incorporate a sense of humor.• Always assume the posture of warmth,
respect, empathy, and genuineness.• Treat others as you want to be treated.
Understanding Generational Diversity and It’s Impact on
Communication
The Age Cohorts
• The Veterans… 1939-1945
• Baby Boomers… 1946-1959
• Cuspers… 1960-1965
• Generation X… 1965-1975
• Generation Y… 1975-1981
Key Events in the Lives of Veterans
Current Ages: 61- 86
• Great Depression• World War II• Korean War • Military and National Pride
Communicating with Veterans
• Build trust through inclusive language.• A leader’s word is their bond, focus more on
words than body language.• Face-to-face or written is received best.• Use more formal language.• Don’t waste their time, they have a job to do.• Don’t expect them to share their innermost
thoughts immediately.
Key Events in the life of Baby Boomers
Current Ages: 42-60
• Television• Rock and Roll• Era of affluence, credit cards• Racial unrest • Vietnam War• Assassinations• Space Exploration• Scientific and Medical Advances
Communicating with Boomers
• Boomers are the ‘show me’ generation, so use body language to communicate.
• Speak in an open and direct style.• Answer questions thoroughly, and expect
to be pressed for details.• Avoid controlling or manipulative language.• Present options to show flexibility in your
thinking.• Use face-to-face or electronic
communication to reach out to them.
Key Events in the life ofGeneration X
Current Ages: 26 -41
• End of Cold War, Soviet Union collapse.• Introduction of Personal Computers.• Portable CD players.• Video games, microwaves, cordless phones.• AIDS.• Economic instability.• Single parent families.
Communicating with Gen X
• Learn their language and speak it.• Use e-mail as a primary communication
tool.• Talk in short sound bytes to keep their
attention.• Present the facts and use straight talk.• Ask them for their feedback.• Share information with them immediately
and often.• Use an informal communication style.• Listen! You just might learn something!
Key Events in the life ofGeneration Y
Current Ages: 7-27
• Terrorism• Environmental Concerns• Global political realignment• Multiculturalism• Era of high technology
Communication with Gen Y
• Let your language paint visible pictures.• Use action verbs to challenge them.• Don’t talk down to them, they will resent it.• Show respect through your language, and they
will respect you.• Use e-mail and voice mail as primary
communication tools.
Communication with Gen Y (Cont’d)
• Use visual communication to motivate them and keep them focused.
• Constantly seek their feedback.• Use humor, reassure them that you don’t take
yourself too seriously.• Encourage them to break the rules and explore
new paths or options.
Generations at Work
Managing the Clash of Veterans, Boomer’s, Xer’s, and
Yer’s
Veterans …On the job…
ASSETS• Stable• Detail-oriented• Thorough• Loyal• Hard working
LIABILITIES• Inept with ambiguity and
change• Reluctant to buck the
system• Uncomfortable with
conflict• Reticent when they
disagree
Boomers…On the job…
ASSETS• Service oriented• Driven• Willing to ‘go the
extra mile’• Good at
relationships• Want to please• Good team players
LIABILITIES• Not naturally ‘budget minded.’• Uncomfortable with conflict.• Reluctant to go against peers.• May put process ahead of
result.• Overly sensitive to feedback.• Judgmental of those who see
things differently.• Self-centered
Gen Xer’s…On the Job…
ASSETS• Adaptable• Techno literate• Independent• Unintimidated by
authority• Creative
LIABILITIES• Impatient• Poor people skills• Inexperienced• Cynical• Job hoppers• Bore easily
Gen Yer’s…On the Job…
ASSETS• Collective action• Optimism• Tenacity• Heroic Spirit• Multitasking
capabilities• Technologically
savvy
LIABILITIES• Need for supervision
and structure.• Inexperience,
particularly with handling difficult people issues.
Where do I go from here?
• Know that generational differences are real!• When working with doctors, nurses,
patients, families, and other team members, using this information can make a difference in getting to the outcome you want.
• Try to think how the generation you are speaking to thinks.
• Take the time to learn more about this subject – its FASCINATING…and rewarding.
Reference Material
• Self Awareness Assessment:• “Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When
Stakes are High”• www.vitalsmarts.com - Sign up for emails to help
you improve your own communication• www.aacn.org/hwe - Standards for Establishing
and Sustaining Healthy Work Environments: A Journey to Excellence
• The Case Manager’s Survival Guide; Cesta, Tahan, Fink (1998) Mosby
Review Questions
1. What are the three styles of communication?
2. Which two generations are uncomfortable with change?
Answer Key
1. Passive, Aggressive and Assertive
2. Veterans and Boomers