By: Kriss Barlow, RN, MBA | kbarlow@barlowmccarthy.com
Is your personal engine purring these days? I am the last person to really understand what makes my car’s engine function, but I know when something is off. This analogy may hold true for our personal energy in the midst of all that has changed in the field role. Leaders and liaisons alike recognize that the last two years have changed obligations, expectations and the field role. We are now on a path that requires us to consider what’s working to ensure effectiveness moving forward. Many liaisons have mixed emotions about getting back into the field on a regular basis. Admittedly, they are sort of ready, perhaps questioning, uncertain, even nervous.
Acknowledge your spot in this. Get clear about what the organization needs right now. Personally evaluate your readiness to accomplish the goal. And if you are not ready, what will it take to get there? Refuse to believe it’s all the same as it was before the pandemic. Consider your skills, changes in the referring physician practices and your organization. Some organizations fared well financially, some did not.
Be proactive in learning. Start by learning what may be nuanced changes in organizational goals and consider your part in that. Ask questions of your referring practice referral coordinators, office managers and doctors to learn the impact on them – and their patients. Listen for their coping skills and any changes in plans. Use this time for personal learning about your technique for asking better questions, for more needs-based conversations and for sharper focus on differentiating your organization’s priorities with your referring physicians.
Honesty is hardest with yourself. It’s so easy to blame others and say, “ Nobody is giving me direction…” or “ My practices just need me to fix access….” All of which may be true, but perhaps they avoid the core issue of finding your own energy to discover new ways to be effective. Hardest of all, now more than ever, organizations need liaisons to rediscover the right volumes and to be strategic, not just busy. Talk about a place where your engine may not be purring! Sometimes discovery works best with team projects. Some have found success with short-term goals so everyone can participate and feel that success. For others, the team environment is not as healthy. If that is the case, reinvention, refocus or reenergizing the role may need to be a personal journey.
Use your network. Liaisons are generally social types. Lean on other people for energy, ideas, guidance, direction or an occasional ear to just share. Be vulnerable together. Share your concerns, ideas and direction with your leader. Zoom planning meetings can be a great way to refocus yourself and others. Just make sure to create a clear, positive direction. Write down what’s working for market reentry. Track what you are hearing in the field by audience group. Give yourself permission to test new ideas – some will be winners!
Relearning may include customized skills or a strategy session. Please reach out to Kriss at kbarlow@barlowmccarthy.com if you’d like to chat about our options.