We all know that leaders in healthcare are assessed on the basis of the results that they deliver. I recently read that on average Chief Executive officers in the NHS get on average 20 months to show progress or they are out.
By any stretch of the imagination this is a comparatively short period of time get to grips with the issues, determine the priorities, take action and see progress.
For that reason alone procrastination is hugely dangerous.
In addition when leaders procrastinate:
• Others get frustrated by the lack of progress
• When they get frustrated the best people vote with their feet and leave, while the mediocre and poor performers just simply disengage
• Morale stays low or gets even worse
• Nothing happens. Analysis and diagnosis is important. At the same time there comes a point where decisions and actions are more important. When we take action we get feedback. We can then use the results of the feedback to adjust or adapt.
• Patients and users of the service suffer which is the complete opposite of what healthcare organisations are here to do- serve patients and service users.
The Bottom Line: While procrastination might on one level seem attractive, all that it does in reality is result in delays and lack of progress.
Goals and Achievements help healthcare and healthcare related organisations improve leadership, team working, management, financial and commercial skills. Learn more here