Page 26 - Society Life_Feb_2019

Always Learning,
Continuously Improving

“... those who dedicate themselves to learning
and who exhibit curiosity are almost always
happier and more socially and professionally
engaging than those who don’t.”

– John Coleman coauthor of Passion & Purpose
Stories from the Best and Brightest Young Business Leaders

Experts agree that the best workplaces put great value on
continuous learning. They challenge their employees to
explore, grow and think critically. The result is a more ful-
filled, more engaged workforce that’s motivated to driving
the very best outcomes. We should expect no less for a
place of healing, where the best practices of modern med-
icine are constantly evolving. At Texas Health Southlake,
learning and development is central to its culture. Employ-
ees teach and coach each other at every level, regardless
of title, role or area of expertise.

“We are firm believers that everybody here is a leader,”
says Bernard. “We support opportunities to enrich their
knowledge and skills, and provide as much financial support
as we can to further their careers and nurture their leader-
ship potential.”

Bernard understands the power of cultivating leadership.
She herself is a product of hard work, ambition and a call to
serve. She began her career as a nurse, but quickly discov-
ered a knack for getting results and empowering others. And
though she has ascended to the highest rungs of leadership,
she even knows that success isn’t about power games or ego.
It’s about respect.
“Leaders must be open to constructive feedback—even
when we don’t want to hear it. It’s how we learn, develop
and get better. We encourage honest, candid feedback,”
she explains.

What makes that consistent process of learning, engage-
ment, and open communication so important? Ultimately, it
all contributes to a better patient experience. Each team
member is an expert in their particular role. Together, they
function like a well calibrated machine—and patients know
when a hospital is firing on all cylinders. The hospital’s
uncommonly high patient satisfaction scores bear that out.
It’s also won a number of distinctions, including being named
one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Patient Safety,
Patient Experience and Orthopedics from WomenCertified .
®

24 FEBRUARY 2019 | SocietyLifeMag.com