Cost of Mission and Values Breaches

When physicians perceive lapses in our adherence to the mission, vision and values, they become angry or discouraged. This is especially so when lapses occur at a high level. A few years ago our hospital downsized, for example. The physicians who were employed by the hospital retained their jobs but experienced significant staff cutbacks. A number of them lamented the loss of good people, good workers and good friends. Our hospital emphasizes core values and among those values are integrity and reverence for people. These physicians had trouble reconciling the labor cuts with our stated values. These physicians felt that honest employees who had given their best deserved an institution that took care of its loyal employees. They questioned whether the hospital revered employees by suddenly marching them off of their work station and discharging them. Whether their perceptions were accurate or not, the result was that many of these physicians became discouraged, disillusioned, and lost morale. They resented the administrative moves.

What strategies do you use to reduce discord between physicians and administrators?