Episode 73: Informal medical lab leaders addressing the current crisis with staffing.

<p>As the medical lab field deals with the challenges of limited staffing and looking towards  the “great retirement”, the lab is struck by the negative effects of the pandemic, “the great attrition”. People are resigning from jobs in droves according to the McKenzie Quarterly. This to us is a triple wammy!</p><p> </p><p>In this episode Lona Small gave tips that informal leaders could use to improve the morale on their teams.</p><p> </p><p>1.     <strong>First fill your cup</strong><br> Have a support system or means to support your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. Develop frequent and consistent habits of meditation, prayer, affirmations, exercise and eating healthy. This will put you in the right frame to address daily challenges.</p><p> </p><p>2.     <strong>Become the champion for positive communication</strong><br> a. Focus on the opportunities rather than fixated on the challenges and communicate these opportunities to your team members. </p><p>Is this an opportunity that could escalate the approval process of a new instrument that would be helpful to the team?<br> Could the situation make someone closer to becoming a charge tech?</p><p>b. Clarify and reframe negative news and misinformation.</p><p> </p><p><strong>3.</strong>     <strong>Be a Go-To person</strong></p><p>Lend a helping hand when things become overwhelming for a team member and set the tempo for others to do the same.</p><p> </p><p>4.     <strong>Be the listening ear</strong><br> Be available to listen if your team member is having a challenging  day and needs to talk. Listen more than you talk but do not facilitate negative criticisms and a pity party.<br> <br> </p><p><strong>5.</strong>     <strong>Initiate positive solutions</strong></p><p>Look for ways to improve the team spirit. Continue to have parties and celebrations in a safe way. Do the baby showers, birthday parties, wedding showers etc. Continue with the kudos board.</p><p> </p><p>Don’t make the mistake in thinking that you will always be in a good place