Maxim no. 7: “Most companies are under-led and over-managed.”
Leadership Maxim No. 7 expands on the principles laid out in Maxim No. 6. The ability to manage – making sure processes, procedures and protocols are followed – is an essential and necessary skill.
But if you are solely focused on managing, you may have less time to concentrate on new ideas and growth. I believe that everyone is a leader, in all aspects of life. But part of being a leader is encouraging people and helping them develop their talents in a way that benefits them, their team and their organization. That requires trust – believing that people know what they’re doing so you can let them grow. In that way, a good leader helps others become leaders.
We asked you to tell us about teams that aptly demonstrate Maxim No. 7 – that strike the right balance between leading and managing. We received many incredible examples, but I want to spotlight three exceptional teams that are taking ownership of our mission and bringing their own definitions of leadership into every encounter with our patients, their families and colleagues across our system.
The STAR Kids Service Coordinators with Texas Children’s Health Plan in Jefferson (pictured above) are a compassionate, talented group, providing support for families across 11 counties – Chambers, Hardin, Harris, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Newton, Orange, San Jacinto and Tyler. Every day, they exhibit what it means to be on the front line, working to solve problems and to meet the needs of nearly 3,000 STAR Kids members across a huge geographic area. And since most of the team works remotely, each person has to draw on their own creativity, flexibility and initiative to treat each case with care, compassion and attention to detail. They are a model of individual leadership, and I couldn’t be prouder that they’re the face of Texas Children’s Health Plan and represent Texas Children’s in their communities.
The STAR Kids Service Coordinators are:
- Shirley Addicks, LMSW
- Heather Broussard, LMSW
- LaQuasha Burke, LMSW
- Josi Chapman, RN
- Kinetha Clark, Cash Management Assistant
- Penny Clark, RN
- Deanna Courts, RN
- Tammi Dyer, LBSW
- Jocelyn Frank, RN
- Brenda Gregg, RN
- Maria Guerra, RN
- Diana Munoz, LMSW
- Amy Parker, RN
- Wanda Rosemon, RN
- Anne Sarrat, LCSW
- La’Cretia Sterling, RN
- Charles “Randy” Thomas, LCSW
- Teplah Toomey, LMSW
- Chantel Willis, LMSW
The Diabetes and Endocrine Clinical Care team at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands has been together since the hospital opened in 2016. The passion and dedication they have for children with diabetes and endocrine disorders is awe-inspiring. Patient families have often commented about how the clinical care team members work so seamlessly and are always so willing and ready to assist. If a problem or need arises, they work collaboratively to come up with solutions to improve clinic efficiency and processes and to enhance the patient experience.
They also take advantage of opportunities to grow as leaders by joining committees, participating in community volunteer activities, attending seminars and pursuing continuing education. They all demonstrate each day the passion they have for their patients, for each other and for Texas Children’s.
The Diabetes and Endocrine Clinical Care team includes:
- Yvonne Barham, RN
- Cindy Benavides, ASR
- Elizabeth (Liz) Ceja, RN
- Elizabeth (Paige) Dudgeon, RN
- Melissa Frazure, ASR
- Tamika (Mika) Isadore, MA
- Karen Kelley, ASR
- Laura Martinez, MA
- LeUndrea (LeLe) Mathis, MA
- Jessica Victoria, MA
The NICU 4 Patient Care Managers at our Texas Medical Center Campus help guide our outstanding NICU 4 nursing teams in delivering the highest level of care available for premature and critically ill newborns in our Level IV NICU. Each patient care manager brings a unique personality and leadership style to their management responsibilities, which include coordinating and monitoring care, scheduling, and organizing shifts, and serving as a liaison between physicians, families, nursing staff and other departments. They provide outstanding support, encouragement and mentorship for their nursing teams, helping them discover their potential and discover their own approaches to care.
The NICU 4 patient care managers also serve as strong examples of compassionate care, ensuring patients and families are always the No. 1 priority. This was especially true last year during Hurricane Harvey when the team worked tirelessly to make sure the NICU – and its families – had the resources and support to weather the storm.
The NICU 4 patient care managers are:
- Michele Boettiger, MSN, RNC, NEA-BC
- Brittney Boudreaux, BSN, RNC-NIC
- Clarissa Daly, MBA, BSN, RN
- Nikashia Franklin, BSN, RN, CCRN, ECLS
- Tomica Franklin, BSN, RN
- Jennifer Pitlik, BSN, RN, CCRN
These three teams are amazing, but I know that we have many more who are leading tirelessly every day.
I’d like to hear from you … why is it important to find the balance between leading people and effectively managing processes?
Take the leadership challenge, and score a spot at a Houston Texans event!
Take the leadership challenge, and score a spot at a Houston Texans event!
Over the past few weeks, Mark Wallace’s blog has been highlighting employees who demonstrate his Maxims of Leadership. Each blog post poses a leadership question that Texas Children’s employees may respond to in the comments section until October 19.
Afterward, the Corporate Communications team will randomly select 75 people from the comments to attend a private event with the Houston Texans, including a behind-the-scenes tour of NRG Stadium, an autograph session with two Houston Texans football players and photos with the Texans cheerleaders.