Managing People Dealing With Conflict Darryl Gotwalt VP of Operations, East Region.

Managing People & Dealing With Conflict

Darryl GotwaltVP of Operations, East Region

How we spend most of our work day.…

• Managing Patients/Care• Managing Referral Relationships• Managing Staff• Managing Ourselves

We manage our staff so we can….

• Have a great patient environment• Have a great work environment• Accomplish clinical and personal goals• Have a successful, driven business

“The art of communication is the language of leadership.”

— James Humes

Most Important Part of Managing…..

Most Important Part of Managing…..

COMMUNICATION

Manager – Know Yourself

• Open to new ideas?• Accept viewpoints different than your own?• Deal with conflict?• Identify, accept, and deal with your own

weaknesses?• Ability to confront and address underachieving

employees?• Willing to change?…..

Your TEAM

• Only as strong as the weakest link• Needs to know the TEAM goal• Needs to know their individual

responsibilities/expectations• Needs to have the skills or be teachable• Needs feedback• Needs to know there are consequences…

Communication

• By Example• Bulletin Board• Daily Meetings• Day-to-Day

Open Communication• Monthly Meetings• One-on-One

Meetings• Clinic Culture

Set Clear Priorities and Goals

• Identify priorities/goals clearly and simply so that everyone can understand (lowest common denominator)

• Focus on no more than 3 – 4 priorities/goals at one time to produce the best results

• Not all goals have the same priority level– 80/20 Rule

Communication

Involves:EducationExpectationsEvaluation

Education

• Clinic Culture• Key Indicators

– Why? Charging, Units, Durations– How?

• Front Office– Why? Reports, Customer Service, Sense of Urgency– How?

• Growth– Why? Marketing, Payor Mix, Satellite/Acquisition– How?

Expectation

• Set Goals: Back Office– Key Indicators– Value Enhancement

• Set Goals: Front Office– Customer Service– Collections

• Set Goals: Whole Clinic– Culture– Growth– 30-60-90 Day Action Plan/Long Term Growth Goals

Evaluation

• Review Goals– Hit Goals

• Celebrate• Discuss Why and How

– Missed Goals• Goal Setting Problem

– Unknown Outliers• Management Problem

– Lack of Communication or Education• Staff Problem

– Specific Issue

• …Is Vital For Success

…is vital for success.

COMMUNICATION

Frustration

• Staff Challenges• Overstaffed/Understaffed• Difficult employees

• Business Challenges• Reimbursement• Competition• Key Indicators

Conflict Happens

Conflict is….• A normal, inescapable part of life• A periodic occurrence in any relationship• An opportunity to understand opposing

preferences and values• ENERGY

Conflict

May be between:• 2 or more employees• the manager and an employee• clinic and outside entity

Your approach should depend on the situation.

Actions to Avoid inConflict Resolution

• Do not avoid the conflict, hoping it will go away– it will not, and it will most likely get worse

if avoided• Do not believe, even for a

moment, the only people who are affected by the conflict are the participants

How to Mediate andResolve Conflict

• Meet with the employee or entity• Keep it issue focused, not personal• Share perspectives• Build understanding• Agree on solutions• Plan the next step

Most Important Part ofConflict Resolution…

COMMUNICATION

How to Mediate andResolve Conflict?

• Re-Educate Employee• Set New Expectations• Re-Evaluate

Management/Conflict Resolution Scenarios

How would you handle these situations?


Scenario #1

Your new hire of less than 60 days is not working out. What do you do?


- Communicate with employee prior to 60 day mark- Re-educate- Set expectations- Evaluate progress- Discuss with human resources- Extend probationary period- Realize you may have made a bad hire- If needed, may be able to terminate employee in

first 90 days without much risk

Scenario #2

Your clinic has a full load of patients today, but cancellations are increasing due to an

impending storm. Your full staff today consists of you, staff PT, part-time PTA, part-time tech,

BOM and a part-time receptionist. What should you do?



- Inform the PTA, tech, and receptionist that due to cancellations their services are not needed today

- Try to do that before they arrive, but they would be paid for hours worked if already there

- Make sure in your regular clinic communication, employees understand this is possible and why

- Make sure everyone knows what they can do to prevent or recover from this episode

Coaching/Guiding Employees

There are four (4) steps necessary to achieve success with an employee:1) Assess present performance and provide constructive feedback2) Set goals and develop a performance plan with the employee3) Review employee’s progress and performance periodically4) Discipline when necessary

Portal forms that can be utilized for the above items:- 90 Day Evaluation (after Introductory Period)- Extension of Introductory Period Evaluation- Annual Performance Reviews- Employee Warning Notices

Progressive Discipline Process

The Three Step Process is the standard, but is not always required. Depending on the nature and scope of the infraction/issue, the steps may be consolidated or eliminated with the approval of HR.

1) Verbal WarningGenerally reserved for the first violation of work behavior or performance. Present Verbal Warning form for signature after discussion to memorialize the meeting.

2) Written WarningFollows verbal warning or is serious enough to skip first step. Emphasizes seriousness (factual/objective) – include standard/issue, deficiencies/problems and corrections/goals necessary. Obtain signatures to memorialize the meeting.

3) Termination/Discharge Always consult with HR or Legal before official discharge to ensure all appropriate steps and documentation are in order.

Disciplinary Discussions/Meeting

Document, Document, Document…

- Use Facts to define problem (whether verbal or written)- Set Objectives for Employee- Come up with Solutions to help Employee meet Objectives- Communicate Actions that will be taken if problem not corrected

Progressive Discipline – Verbal, Written, Termination** All warnings should be documented AND signed off by Employee

** Please note that employee signature does not mean the employee agrees. It means he/she was provided with the information described in the document and received the warning.

Be Fair, Be Consistent, and Be Legal

Conflict Summary

• Research the situation• Act quickly• Communicate with all affected parties• Involve HR/Legal/Compliance, as needed• Formulate Plan• Follow-through with Plan

Managing People Dealing With Conflict Darryl Gotwalt VP of Operations, East Region.

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